The Boston Red Sox prepared to leave Florida with some questions that had to be answered if they intend to turn around a last-place finish in the American League East.
Last to first to last to … first?
One of those questions that had to be answered was not about the offense.
The addition of free agents Hanley Ramirez (now a left fielder) and third baseman Pablo Sandoval, the improved health of second baseman Dustin Pedroia, first baseman Mike Napoli and right fielder Shane Victorino and the continued growth of outfielders Mookie Betts and Rusney Castillo left plenty of room for optimism when it comes to scoring runs.
Unless something strange happens, this team will score runs.
Now, about the pitching.
The rotation, not bolstered by the addition of Cole Hamels or any other big name out there during the offseason, remained without a true ace. The bullpen, with 40-year-old Koji Uehara at the back end, was without the injured Uehara as spring training wound down — Edward Mujica set to close until Uehara was ready as he was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday.
The Uehara injury was one of three the Sox were dealing with entering the season. Catcher Christian Vazquez was lost to an elbow injury, leaving veteran Ryan Hanigan as the starter. Right-hander Joe Kelly was battling biceps soreness that was not supposed to be serious.
The enigmatic Clay Buchholz is the No. 1 starter, and the Red Sox are hoping this is the year he puts an entire season together. Remember, this is a two-time All-Star we’re talking about.
“Through time here in the organization, through elite performance in fairly long stretches for Clay, this is his time,” manager John Farrell said.
Buchholz is a true ace when he’s pitching well. But the new rotation, which will also include righties Rick Porcello, Joe Kelly (when healthy) and Justin Masterson and left-hander Wade Miley, is confident as a group. Kelly has a strained biceps and was placed on the DL Friday.
“We’ve been having fun with it from Day 1,” said Masterson, beginning his second tour with the team that brought him to the big leagues and trying to rebound from a dreadful 2014. “We know what we all can do. Regardless of being criticized or name-calling, everybody’s got their own opinion and I know our opinion is completely opposite.”
As noted before, the staff should be pitching in front of an offense that can make things easier on the group.
“The thing that stands out to me is we will send a proven Major League pitcher to the mound every single night, one with a track record — and in multiple cases, guys that have made All-Star teams at the Major League level,” Farrell told MLB.com.
The Red Sox are banking on an experienced group, on Buchholz finally having a complete season, on Porcello pitching well in his contract year, on Masterson bouncing back.
Miley is solid. Masterson is trying to get over a nightmarish 2014. There is also depth on the farm.
“I feel great,” Masterson said after his best spring outing in late March. “At this time last year, if we were going into the fourth or fifth inning, I’d be giving up at least a couple of homers out there. The first couple would be good, and after that, not so much.”
In the bullpen, righty Matt Barnes made the team after a strong spring that saw him go from starting to the bullpen.
So can righty Alexi Ogando, who is looking to rebound from elbow problems that killed his 2014 season. The former All-Star can be a real key to the pen.
Tommy Layne, Craig Breslow and Robbie Ross are all lefties who give manager John Farrell flexibility.
On offense, the Red Sox are very left-handed in the starting lineup. DH Ortiz is a lefty and third baseman Sandoval a switch hitter. Right fielder Victorino, a career switch hitter, is batting only right-handed, something he started last year because of a hamstring problem. The starting pitching in the AL East is largely right-handed. But don’t worry about these guys — they can hit.
Keys? How about second baseman Pedroia again being able to hit with some power? And Sandoval turning his sliding power numbers up? And Xander Bogaerts relaxed and able to hit as the shortstop? And Victorino, coming off back surgery, to stay on the field.
Ortiz just keeps hitting for power. Hanley Ramirez, beginning his second tour with the team, should wear out the Green Monster. Sandoval will see pitches with first baseman Mike Napoli behind him.
“If we’re on the same page and do our job, and don’t try to get greedy, it’s going to be fun to watch us,” Sandoval said.
Ortiz said, “Ben (Cherington is) a great GM. He knows. He knows the offense had to look different than what we had last year. That’s why they went and got those guys. Those guys are on top of their game — they’re young, talented. And the one thing I like the most about them is the feeling they have for the game.”
Missing from the list of reserves are outfielders Castillo and Bradley Jr. Both figured to start the season in Triple-A, but Castillo is there if Victorino isn’t 100 percent. Many believe both Allen Craig and Victorino would be moved at some point during the season, which would open the door for the others, as Bradley rebounded at the plate in the spring.
When Vazquez went down, the Sox went out and got Sandy Leon from the Washington Nationals. They now have two veterans behind the plate, which allows prospect Blake Swihart to develop in the minors.