We are now under a month away from pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training. Red Sox pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers, FL on February 12th. I know I’m not the only Sox fan counting down the days. 30 days to be exact. After a few off season signings and trades, the new and improved 2017 Red Sox face a championship or bust season.
The Red Sox have the best offense in baseball, and it’s not even close. Last season they finished 1st in offense, leading the MLB in at-bats (5670), Runs (878), Hits (1598), Doubles (343), Total Bases (2615), RBI (836), AVG (.282), OBP (.348), SLG (.461), and OPS (.810). They did lose Red Sox legend and all-time great David Ortiz to retirement, but the offense still looks fantastic.
On December 8th, 2016 the Red Sox signed Mitch Moreland to a one-year deal. Moreland won his first Gold Glove Award last season at first base. Moreland brings a big lefty bat to the lineup, hitting 22 home runs last season. The addition of Moreland to the lineup allows Hanley Ramirez to make the transition to DH. The 2016 Red Sox got by with Hanley playing first base, but it was only because they needed his bat in the lineup. Ramirez has voiced concerns about playing first base and is a much better hitter when he is DH.
Travis Shaw was traded away along with two others to the Milwaukee Brewers for Tyler Thornburg. Shaw played a sold third base last season, making some fantastic plays from the hot corner. His bat wasn’t always there, batting around .242. Shaw lacks power for his size. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 225lbs Shaw brings a big frame to the lineup. He only hit 16 home runs and drove in 71 runs. His absence sends the Red Sox into a frenzy to find a third baseman for this season.
The 2017 Red Sox look solid at almost every position. There are still some uncertainties at who will be their starting third baseman and catcher. Without Shaw third base is open and needs to be filled soon. Maybe we’ll be seeing Pablo in the lineup on a daily basis?
I’m not sure how long they can keep their three-headed monster at catcher. Sandy Leon, Blake Swihart, and Christian Vasquez all caught for the Red Sox last season. Injuries to Swihart and Vasquez set them back and brought on the emergence of Sandy Leon. I’d like to see Swihart as the starting catcher this season. He’s a young and athletic catcher who can hit from both side of the plate. Swihart is solid behind the plate and has tremendous speed around the bases for a catcher.
The acquisition of Chris Sale automatically makes their starting rotation stronger than last years. No team in the MLB wants to face a four-game series against Sale, Porcello, Price, and Wright. Not to mention they have Pomeranz and Rodriguez to fill that fifth spot in the rotation. The Red Sox compliment having the best offense with adding Chris Sale to their pitching staff.
Boston has the second best odds (11/2) at winning the 2017 world Series. The 2017 Red Sox will be thrilling to watch. Get ready baseball fans, the season is right around the corner.
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