Right-hander Kutter Crawford will begin the season in the Red Sox’s rotation, manager Alex Cora confirmed (link via Alex Speier of the Boston Globe). He’s expected to take the ball for the fourth game of the season, the opener of a series against the Pirates.
It’s not likely to be a long-term stint. Crawford steps in with Garrett Whitlock and Brayan Bello both opening the year on the 15-day injured list. Whitlock, in particular, is expected back midway through the season’s first month. Assuming each of Corey Kluber, Chris Sale, Tanner Houck and Nick Pivetta remain healthy by that point, Crawford could find himself in long relief or optioned back to Triple-A Worcester. Potential returns from Bello and James Paxton later on would push him further down the depth chart.
Crawford, 27 next month, started 12 of 21 outings for the Sox last season. He pitched to a 5.47 ERA in 77 1/3 innings overall, though his 23.1% strikeout percentage and 8.7% walk rate were both solid. He predictably missed more bats in relief than he did as a starter but threw more strikes when working from the rotation.
In other news out of Boston:
- Reliever Wyatt Mills has been shut down from throwing after experiencing elbow inflammation, Speier writes. Fortunately, the issue is believed to be muscular rather than structural. Mills still seems likely to open the season on the 15-day IL but there doesn’t appear to be concern about a long-term absence in spite of the ominous-sounding diagnosis. Boston acquired the righty from the Royals over the winter, sending minor league reliever Jacob Wallace back to Kansas City. Mills split the 2022 campaign between Seattle and K.C., throwing 29 1/3 frames of 4.60 ERA ball. He still has a minor league option year remaining and wasn’t a lock to crack the season-opening bullpen.
- Catcher Connor Wong was hampered by a left hamstring strain early in camp. While the issue initially seemed as if it could lead to a season-opening IL stint, Wong now looks on track to be ready for Opening Day. Cora told reporters yesterday the 26-year-old backstop was a “full go” at this point (relayed by Ian Browne of MLB.com). With a week left until the start of the regular season, he should be in position to open the year on the roster. Wong and Reese McGuire are the two backstops on the 40-man. The catching outlook is one area the Sox will have to sort out in the coming days, as Boston could lose minor league signee Jorge Alfaro to an upward mobility clause in his contract if they’re not willing to put him on the MLB club. Alfaro has been on a tear in Spring Training, collecting 11 hits (including two homers) in 21 at-bats.
- Like Alfaro, Raimel Tapia is a veteran in camp on a minor league deal. The lefty-hitting outfielder is battling for a depth role behind the presumptive starting outfield of Masataka Yoshida, Adam Duvall and Alex Verdugo. Righty-swinging Rob Refsnyder is a virtual lock to secure a bench role, as is a backup catcher. That’d leave two spots, one of which seems likely to go to an infielder. Tapia brings plus contact skills and speed, though he’s not a prototypical fourth outfielder considering he’s spent the bulk of his career in left field. Chad Jennings of the Athletic writes that Boston is increasingly open to using Tapia in center field, where he played a career-high 249 2/3 innings for Toronto last season. That would increase his chances of making the roster, particularly since his skillset would be complementary to that of Duvall. Tapia is 13-40 with two walks, six strikeouts and a pair of homers this spring.
I’m an optimist. I see the the Red Sox glass 1/3 full to start this season. If Sale can pitch effectively, Yoshida can hit like he did in the WBC and Devers has a Top 10 MVP season, they might get that glass 1/2 full. Stranger things have happened in Boston like 2013.
I think consistency will be a problem with this team like few others they’ve fielded in the last 20 or 30 years. The play you see in the first 2 months is likely to be drastically different by mid to late season.
How that plays out waits to be seen. But the roster is very fragile, and very volatile.
Future payroll and roster flexibility was emphasized over maximum talent in the free agency moves. HOW that works out is anyone’s guess, there aren’t many known quantities you can depend on with this team, it’s like wanting to come up a winner or push 15 times rolling the dice. Can it happen? How long a streak will be pieced together?
Easy it won’t. This team is going to finish dead last in the division. You can’t sign a bunch of 35 plus year Olds and injury prone lottery tickets expecting them to even compete or last 162 games. You have a 39 year old DH….like 6 35 to 40 year old relievers….opening day starter Corey kluber is what? 37? 38? DareI guess 40? Point being this team will not last because it’s not built too. It’s like filling holes in a boat with bubble gum expecting NOT to sink.
I don’t see playoffs. But I’m not sure it’s guaranteed last place either. You never know what could happen with other squads.
GASox – I really hate predictions, always seems like a huge waste of time to me. You can’t predict injuries on the Sox or the other teams, that’s always the biggest factor.
If the Sox can avoid injuries and aren’t mismanaged, they certainly have a chance.
All I ask is for once Cora plays to win from the start of the season, doesn’t over-manage by constantly putting different lineups out there (Yoshida needs to lead off every day), doesn’t over-rest the starters with excessive days off, doesn’t rest multiple starters on the same day, doesn’t pull starting pitchers when they are cruising just because it’s the 6th inning, and doesn’t over-manage the bullpen like their arms will fall off if they throw more than 12 pitches or pitch in consecutive games.
And let’s bring down the pitching staff to 12 so we can have some depth on the bench, rather than having a .162 hitting backup catcher at the plate with a game on the line.
I know, that’s a lot to ask.
Yoshida has on base skills, but, the sox lack the big boppers to protect him/Devers.
I know Cora says he wants to split them up, but, really you need protection. Also Yoshida is slow. You’d like someone with some speed as your first OB guy.
Ideally you’d like someone at least closer to average speed leading off, maybe yoshi 2 hole, turner in the 3 spot, Devers 4th, then whoever seems to be hot at the time behind Devers to give him a little protection.
The lineup is thin with prime hitters, it’s to make a lineup where your best guys get pitches to hit because of protection issues…
Yoshida isn’t going to hit leadoff. He’s a middle of the order bat.
That’s an awful lot to ask of cora there, Fever. He can’t help but outsmart himself on a nightly basis.
GASox – Yoshida could be similar to Wade Boggs. Not the fastest, not much power, but you definitely want a high OBP guy like him at the top of the Sox lineup because who else can we use? I agree speed is important, but there’s nobody on the Sox that possesses both speed and a high OBP.
Yoshida and Devers will likely be the only two big boppers, the days of having two great hitters like Ortiz & Manny or JD & Mookie are long gone.
I’m fine with Yoshida leading off and Devers in the 2-hole, adjusting later in the year based on what could develope (Casas having a breakout year, Hernandez returning to 2021 postseason form, Verdugo finally reaching his potential, etc). Every other slot can be played around with, I really don’t care. It’s the placement of your best hitters that matters the most.
This season will prolly fall somewhere between the seeming two competing extremes that Sox fans post in threads about the team on this site. Kinda like a dreary meh. On one hand I’d argue you can’t expect a bunch of mid-30’s pitchers to excel to their peak seasons which will cause the same effect we saw last season with lots of innings from sub par pitchers.and on the hitters/defense side when you are hoping a up the middle of McGuire/?, Arroyo, TK and Adam Duvall in center (?wtf??!!) to have any kind of semblance to a even “good” defense you’re gonna be disappointed. Will they have the worst record in the AL:? Nah, unless they experience lots of key injuries to the pitching staff and/or to key cogs like Devers. And something I haven’t seen anyone mentioning what happened to the RS I remember with a power laden lineup. Gone. This team seriously lacks power bats with the exception of Devers, And typically teams with only one real threat teams will pitch around him. So will they be really bad probably not but in real terms this team hasn’t been very well constructed which is why I like many others, see Bloom as the weak link to the Sox getting back to being the Sox instead of some high priced Rays freak model which will never be accepted by Red Sox nation no matter how much Henry tries to force it on us.
People are so desperate for a Sox baseball season they are “willing” and/or attempting to manifest a good team when it’s so clear they are awful. It makes me long for the pessimistic yet realistic real fan base pre 2004.
Great comment, optimus. Thank you for being a voice of reason.
100% correct FPG — Cora takes out too many pitches who are grooving with low pitch count early in 6th inning leads, like he constantly did with Wacha. Also as you stated don’t rest key starting players in APRIL and it’s ok to use said key offensive players day after nite game.
These players are paid very handsomely for their on field efforts, so make them earn their monies by not intermittently sitting them out for no reason. Cora seemed to do this consistently with Xander.
As for Alfaro back up catching should be his slam dunk. Wong will never be a good hitter and his blocking throwing out base runners is bad. Alfaro can contribute with solid bat and is decent defensively..
But the roster is very fragile, and very volatile.
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Gotta agree. We are a bit deeper than last year, but last year we had almost no depth. I think we will compete very well, but we cannot afford many issues. A .600 record for two months would not surprise me, but we have 6 months to play.
Jorge Alfaro is a beast. He will be a big part of the Red Sox 2023 title run. Alfaro is a lock for 40+ HRs, and almost certainly will be in MVP consideration.
Man. What have they got in dispensaries these days and I wonder if I should start another bad habit and get some.
Alfaro should make the roster and start Wong in AAA. If no other reason to increase depth as there isn’t much for guys who look to be mlb ready behind the three of spanky Mcguire, Wong, and Alfaro. So keep him so as to have flexibility. If he drop off, release him.
But 40+ hrs and a ws run? That’s taking it a bit too far.
GASox – Some people seem to think Alfaro is Aquaman, I think that’s why their expectations of him are so high.
He may look the part, but he has proved nothing on the diamond when the games count.
He has proven he is awesome. Alfaro is an early favourite for MVP.
You sound like his mistress or girlfriend
Whose?
Alfaro of course, the guy you keep drooling over.
40 HR is a low end projection for the Bear at Fenway. I could see him easily hitting 50+ HR.
Maybe an exaggeration or mockery, but he is a very underrated player. I predict that if he gets prolonged time starting, he has the chance to get 20 to 25 in a season.
he has the chance to get 20 to 25 in a season.
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He’s going to be on the short side of a platoon, If he got ten HRs, that would be huge. That said, I’ve always liked him ever since Miami traded for him.
Joe, I was actually thinking similar numbers. If Alfaro breaks camp with the sox (and they’d be stupid not to have him, but, they have also made a lot of boneheaded moves the last 4 offseasons).
Being short end of platoon to start with would keep his legs fresh and help with hr potential.
But, if Spanky can’t keep up his end you’d easily see the platoon balance shift. It’s not like there’s a rapport with the pitching staff for anyone in particular.
@Saratoga
As a die hard Red Sox fan all I can say is man! Whatever it is you’re smoking I surely would love some. Alfaro is a lock for 40+ HRs?
What are you talking about? I hate the Red Sox.
People cant see trollz to save their lives.
Guys like Saratoga are the one that create myths like “Swihart is heading to the Hall”. Ignore them, and shoot down anybody who tries to claim comments like these are by Red Sox fans.
I’m not a “guy” sweetie.
@Saratoga And Kutter Crawford looks like a lock to win 18 games and pitch a mid-season no-hitter.
What? Kutter Crawford is awful. That is an absurd projection.
@ Saratoga – Are you a filly or are you a mare? When is your next race?
Are you offering to ride me?
Serious question, how do I upload a profile pic on here?
On mobile: upper right corner three bars, my account, update your profile, circle.
Helluva name! Does he throw one?
The Red Sox really did not have a very good off-season. Losing Bogaerts the way they did was pretty inexcusable and it was clearly the turning point for many Sox fans, to the point where they heckled Henry and Bloom. It’s no coincidence that Devers was signed to his huge extension just days after all the heckling. The message was received, so hopefully we will start to see something new going forward. 2023 looks pretty bleak, but with a solid core of good prospects due up between now and 2024 and some increased spending, the future could be brighter.
Losing Bogaerts was perfectly excusable given the overpay he received from the Padres. Bogaerts is an excellent player, but he is neither a true ideal middle of the order hitter – he is a terrific hitter for a SS – nor a safe bet to remain a SS for even the medium term, much less the long term of his new deal. Boston has paths to signing him at certain points, but again that is excusable given context. And yes, it could easily be coincidence that Devers was extended when he was – not like he was someone the team wasn’t trying to extend before the events you mentioned.
I always thought it was reasonable that they were only going to sign 1 of the 2 with the depth at INF they have. If they had got the deal they wanted with Bogaerts it may have been a Devers trade for high ceiling P’s and OF’s. As it is now, they need to build a pitching staff to complement the offensive core of Devers, Yoshida, Casas and Mayer.
I always thought it was reasonable that they were only going to sign 1 of the 2
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Yup. They are counting on Mayer for the SS of the future, so they were only keeping Bogaerts OR Devers, but not both. Given their ages, Devers made the most sense.
Joe – Or Bloom coulda, ya know, given Xander the $160M he wanted instead of giving $140M to Story.
Losing one of Devers or Xander didn’t become a necessity until Story was signed.
But once he was signed, keeping Devers was the logical choice. Much younger and a better hitter than Xander.
Losing one of Devers or Xander didn’t become a necessity until Story was signed.
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It had less to do with Story and more to do with Mayer. Once they drafted Mayer, either Bogaerts or Devers was going to be the l/t 3B.
Personally, I’d have signed Bogaerts and traded Devers, but there is no guarantee that would’ve worked out either. And at that level of strategy, I will defer to the FO.
And we don’t know for sure how much Bogaerts would’ve accepted.
The 2023 Red Sox might be the most interesting team in recent memory from a varied potential outcome perspective. Like if injuries pile up and guys struggle they could conceivably be deadline sellers. At the same time if (yeah big IF but they are legitimate “ifs” not fantasies or anything) so yeah… if guys are healthy (Sale, Whitlock, even Paxton) and pitch like they have when healthy (despite barely pitching Sale and Paxton have been excellent when they do pitch) and guys like Casas and Yoshida live up to expectations and McGuire really has figured something out or Wong or Alfaro take that next step. Or Duran or Dalbec take steps back towards their prior promise, Houck excels as a SP. Bello proves a legitimate #3 (or better) ML starter (2.00 ERA final 5 starts of 2022) … you get the point… even if only 2/3 of the “IFs” trend positive… the Sox could be a legitimate Wild Card contender. They do certainly still feel like they’re missing a big time RH bat but Story could return as early as June (or not at all hence the endless IFs) — even so… they finally have a legitimate bullpen. and IF they just play exactly the same as they did last year but blow 10 less saves… they’d have 88 wins! (they blew a league leading like 35 or something absurd like that in 2022)
No matter what — it will be INTERESTING 90 wins is just as possible as 70 — heck I’d even expand that range if injuries really pile up (Winkowski, Crawford, etc start more games than Sale, Whitlock, Paxton) they could only win 60! Or go the other way… Duran turns into the legitimate prospect he was believed to be (he’s looked like it this Spring), Whitlock is a legitimate #2+ SP, Paxton and Sale post ERAs under/around 3.50, Bello under 4.00, Mata gets called up and is a dominant late inning weapon added to a already strong bullpen and Duvall’s batted ball chart from 2022 becomes reality and by playing at Fenway he hits 35+ HR and improves his average to .250+ because of the Green Monster (this is based on his real 2021-2022 batted ball data not just wishful thinking) and Story comes back as a legitimate star a d Yoshida hits .290/.360+ with 20 HR… they could win 95!
It’s really quite a shocking variance. One I can’t think of happening going into a season in recent history for any team I can think of!
Personally (Possibly biased as Sox fan) I think they challenge for, and maybe even get a wild card spot. Winning somewhere around 88 games. But if 6/7 months from now you told me they lost 90 games — I’d probably believe that too!
Love your enthusiasm & optimism but I’m struggling to see how this team is going to consistently score runs. Yoshida can’t get on base and also knock himself in. Who is the big power RBI guy? Devers yeah but he’s going to need some help. On paper, it really looks like this roster has lost a lot of slug.
“Im struggling” to see why power is the only thing a team needs to get into the playoffs. Padres went to NLCS while hitting few HRs than the Red Sox last year.
I thought only HR’s counted?
There are a number of possibilities for RBI guys besides Devers. Turner, Duvall, Casas, and Yoshida all immediately come to mind. Not to mention the “slug” they lost from last year (Bogaerts and Martinez) really didn’t provide a lot of slug at all. Topping their numbers from last year is easily achievable for any of the 4 I mentioned.
Good point kingpen:
Boggie and JD combined for 31 Homeruns in 1227 PAs. Casas and Duvall should easily pass those 31 HRs in a lot few PAs.
Too many fans assessing those guys on reputation, and not current performance. Bogaerts might bounce back, but JD less likely. I’d say the OPS from X & JD will be about the same as Yoshida & JT.
A’s could be a landing spot for Alfaro, as could the Diamondbacks. I do not see any way the Sox keep him if they choose to go with Wong instead
Can’t see that happening. More likely is an “injury” keeps a hot Alfaro on the roster to start the season. Alfaro has actually earned a 26 man spot and unless they get offered something unexpected back in a trade which I don’t see happening, Wong will still start on the IL. just my take.
Whelp, alfaro sent to minors. Will he accept or exercise the upwards mobility clause? Also, dalbed down, chang is in.
No word on Tapia I’ve seen yet
1) I’d rather see Winckowski over Pivetta in the rotation, he’s looked sharp in ST. I wonder if it could carry over. Pivetta looks like junk.
2) You cant let Alfaro walk, he looks great both off and def. Connor Wong still has an option, send him down and give Alfaro a chance.
3) Ref and Tapia will be the 4th and 5th OFer
4) Middle Infield is really thin, maybe pick up a depth piece there.
I still don’t like the 13 man staff. Start the year with 12. That opens a spot. It’s also surprising that Ref didn’t see any IF action. Duran starts in the minors but a continued nice start and he gets called up when needed. I still think he’s a crappy fielder.
The problem with judging vets in spring training you don’t really know what they are working on and stats mean nothing especially for vets.
Pivetta took the ball every fifth day he started 33 games last year and while he was up an down there is value in being able to count on a guy. Pivetta starts in the rotation and if struggles when the games count and the young guys Crawford and Wink continue to look good then you talk about moving him out of the rotation no way you do it based on spring training games.
Plus guys on WBC teams that play deep into the tournament really get the short end of the stick. They simply don’t get the reps due to fewer games, especially for potchers.
Paxton will never pitch in a Red Sox uni in the big leagues.
Ill take that bet.
twitter.com/IanMBrowne/status/1637110792871989251?…
OMG, ANOTHER Red Sox notes. Well, this year promises to be yet another mystery. But it IS about time for another championship. So there’s that. Basically, if they win more than 95 games, they will take the whole kit and caboodle. If not, they won’t. And that’s all that matters. The end.
Gut tells me they let Alfaro walk if Wong is back
You have to live McGuire. When jacking one out in the lot in guaranteed to be a happy ending.
He’s definitely not slapping it around he’s really beating it. He really whacks it when he gets hold of it.