The Boston Red Sox Thursday, July 2, 2020
* The Boston Globe
Baseball is coming back — but it’s going to be very different
Dan Shaughnessy
Red Sox players, who scattered to the four winds when JetBlue Park shut down in mid-March, were scheduled to be tested for the coronavirus at Fenway Park Wednesday. There’s a loose plan to start staggered workouts at the ballpark Friday, with a goal of opening a 60-game season at the end of July.
But like everything else in our COVID-19 spring, no one really knows anything.
The sports world is very different now. Prepare for anything. Prepare for nothing. If Major League Baseball is played this summer, it's going to look very different with no fans and goofy new rules.
Just think of how some of these new ideas would have changed history if they’d applied back in the good old days. For example, let’s consider the notion of placing a base runner on second base to start any extra inning.
If that had applied in the 1975 postseason, Carl Yastrzemski would have been standing on second in the bottom of the 12th when Carlton Fisk walked to the plate to lead off the inning after midnight. Fisk’s blast off the left-field foul pole would have been a two-run shot. Yaz would be the guy crossing home plate with the winning run, and no one from the media would talk to Fisk or Yaz in the Sox clubhouse after the game.
Fast-forward to 2020.
We have gone from Spaceman and Boomer . . . to safe spaces and Zoomers.
It’s going to be less fun, but it’s the only baseball we have, and that’s better than nothing.
These are the little things I think about when I look at the new competition rules and safety protocols suggested for Major League Baseball’s mini-season.
It's going to be very different. You're going to see a lot of anonymous players shuffle on and off the big league rosters on an almost daily basis. You'll definitely need a scorecard to keep up with players, but you won't be at Fenway to buy that scorecard.
A two-month regular season will produce outliers. Some good teams will be punished and some weak teams potentially rewarded. The World Series champion Nationals were 27-33 after 60 games last year.
This is good news for Boston baseball fans. In a 60-game season, the Red Sox have a chance to make the playoffs. Even the Orioles have a shot.
The Red Sox didn’t look like much in their first spring training back in March. Management appeared to have given up on the season with its salary-dump deal of Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers for three players you never heard of (big-baggage Alex Verdugo may now be the No. 5 batter in the Boston lineup). Assessing his team’s chances, Boston baseball boss Chaim Bloom acknowledged, “It’s reasonable to expect that we’re going to be worse.”
On the final day of locker room access March 9 at Fenway South, reporters were still trying to get to know the 2020 Sox players (we didn’t know this would be the last day of clubhouse access). I spent a few moments with a team interpreter trying to learn about second baseman Jose Peraza, who played his last four seasons with the Reds. I shook hands with the pleasant infielder at the end of our brief session, then walked away and wondered whether we were still allowed to do that.
Sixteen weeks later, I can confirm that Jose Peraza was on the other end of my last handshake.
I made a run at Verdugo in front of his locker that same morning, but the young outfielder, still recovering from a broken bone in his back, was in a rush to get outside and stretch.
“Sorry dude, got to run,‘' said Verdugo. “Maybe catch you tomorrow.”
Maybe someday on Zoom. Maybe never.
The games may resume at the end of the month, but the days of people like me trying to tell you what the players are like are over. Certainly at least until there’s a vaccine for COVID-19.
Baseball is going to resume (we hope), but Dave O’Brien, Eck, and the RemDawg aren’t going to be dodging fouls balls from their broadcast booth at Fenway. They’re not going to be able to tell you what was happening in the clubhouse or around the batting cage before the game, because the plan is for them to call the action from a studio in Watertown.
Essentially, they will know nothing more than you. Watching games on TV is a great equalizer. Everybody sees the same things and has the same information. Bill Simmons wins. Sports “coverage” 2020: watch TV and submit your opinion.
MLB is allowing as many as 35 people in the press box for these games, but those reporters won't be able to tell you much of anything you can't see. Reporters can't go in the clubhouse anymore. There will be no more storytelling, no more color, no reporting on internal dustups in the locker room.
We’ll be able to tell you about the plays in the games and the accompanying numbers. Nothing more. Some readers prefer it that way. Understood.
It’s going to be analytics heaven and a paradise for millennial players who barely have time to look up from their phones to converse with teammates.
Whee! Fortnite for everyone, media access for none. Play ball.
In this protected bubble, David Price might just win 20 games in a 60-game season.
A rare glimpse inside Wally’s world
Stan Grossfeld
It’s hard to get inside the head of Wally the Green Monster, but in an exclusive Globe interview, the friendly and furry Red Sox mascot talked about a range of subjects, including Major League Baseball’s decision to restrict mascots for the 2020 season, the summer heat, his parents, Yankee fans, and what he’s done during the pandemic.
Chris Bergstrom, the Red Sox’ director of fan and youth engagement, spent 16 years as the main performer in the Wally costume and remains Wally’s “spokesperson.” Bergstrom handled 90 percent of Wally’s appearances and all the games from 2001-17.
Q. When you debuted in 1997, kids loved you. But there was some pushback from the older fans. How did you win them over?
A. I won the fans over by winning their grandkids over and their children over. That’s how you win the hearts of the adults. From there, you just become a part of Red Sox history.
Q. Since you’ve lived in the Wall since ’47, why didn’t you put a bathroom in it?
A. Manny has used it.
Q. So, it’s a secret?
A. Yeah, call and ask him. He’ll give you the keys.
Q. What has surprised you the most over the years?
A. Probably filming the “This is ‘SportsCenter’ ” commercial with [David] Ortiz and [Jorge] Posada. Even though it was for the commercial, seeing David in a Yankees cap is something that still gives me nightmares.
Q. When mascots get together, what do they talk about?
A. How you have to pace yourself, how much water you drink.
Q. Did you ever nearly pass out in the heat?
A. Every day. You don’t know what humid summers are until you come to Boston and hang out when it’s 95 degrees and humid.
Q. What was the most weight loss you had in a game?
A. Probably 8-10 pounds of water weight. You know, as soon as I had my postgame meal, I would put it all back on. So it doesn’t really count.
Q. MLB initially banned mascots for the 2020 season, but then reversed the policy. Mascots are allowed in the ballpark, just not on the field. What happened to change their mind?
A. I think they realized how much they would miss seeing me.
Q. What’s a Red Sox game without Wally?
A. There’s a whole age group now that doesn’t know what it’s like without Wally there, and I just don’t think it’s as much fun without Wally there.
Q. What about TV time? Are you going to going to sit behind home and be in every shot, like the guy from Giant Glass?
A. I don’t find the camera. The camera finds me.
Q. Do you believe in cardboard cutouts for fans?
A. Do you believe in cardboard Wallys?
Q. What did you do to celebrate the return of baseball?
A. Steamed up a couple of Fenway Franks!
Q. Being Wally is all about hugging. How are you going to survive without hugs?
A. I never thought about that. It’s a tough question. For now, it’s going to have to be virtual hugs. I have been working on my Zoom moves. Understanding how to live life in a virtual world.
Q. What will you miss most about going on the field?
A. It took a lot to run down to the field, so I’m going to enjoy doing fewer steps.
Q. What have you been doing during the pandemic?
A. Since we can’t do appearances in person right now, we’re doing virtual appearances. We could send a video message like “Happy Father’s Day” or we can jump on a Zoom call for a birthday party. The funds that we’re raising will go to the Red Sox Foundation. So other than that, I watch old Red Sox games.
Q. Have you put on a lot of weight?
A. You know what? I eat a lot in the press dining room. They have a nice ice cream machine up there. And you can have as much ice cream as you want. So I actually think that I have lost a little weight having to be good by not eating ice cream for 10 nights in a row.
Q. You have a running feud with Tampa Bay mascot Raymond. Why?
A. I was watching on NESN. He had a little Wally doll; he put it on the ground and drove over it with his ATV. When I saw that, I thought OK, game on. I think we’ve got more check marks in the World Series championship column. So I feel pretty good about that healthy competition between him and me.
Q. What about danger? There was once a mascot in San Francisco named Crazy Crab that got pelted with so many batteries and beers he had to be reinforced with a fiberglass shell for protection. Anything like that ever happen to you?
A. No, thank God. Crab retired. I was friends with him. He’s in better shape now. He’s in a retirement home.
Q. Did you ever get punched for pulling a Yankee cap off a fan?
A. I don’t think they’re punches. I think they’re love taps. I think all the Yankee fans love me. What’s not to love, right?
Q. They don’t call you names or anything like that at Yankee Stadium?
A. No, no, no. I mean, it all depends. When I was at the All-Star Game at the old Yankee Stadium, the mascots get introduced before the Home Run Derby. They did it alphabetically. So it’s like, “The Baltimore Orioles …” No reaction. And then they don’t even get through the word “Boston” and it’s just like the loudest boos you’ve ever heard in your life.
When you can stand in old Yankee Stadium and everybody there is interested enough to stop eating their hot dog to boo you, that’s when I said to myself, “Wow, you know, I think I’ve made it.”
Q. Last year there was a TV broadcast where they had A-Rod up on the Green Monster with Matt Vasgersian, who said, “Wally smells a little gamey,” and that’s a quote. Do you smell a little gamey?
A. No, no, no. I bathe frequently. Plus, J-Lo was there and she wanted a photo with Wally.
Q. Why are you still single?
A. You know, if you work in baseball, it takes up a lot of time.
Q. Do you have a girlfriend?
A. No comment.
Q. What about the Cincinnati Reds mascot, Rosie Red? She’s cute. Interested?
A. She likes the Reds.
Q. So what? They’re in another league.
A. I don’t know if we like the Reds around here. I’ve got bad memories.
Q. ’75?
A. Yeah. We don’t forget around here.
Q. She does yoga in the outfield to stay healthy. What do you do to stay in shape?
A. I watch people do yoga at Fenway sometimes. I get my exercise by watching.
Q. Did you know your parents?
A. Yeah, Walter and Wanda. They live in JetBlue Park in Florida.
They sent me up here because they were huge Red Sox fans. They were like, “Hey, do you want to go live in Fenway?” And I was like, “Yeah, of course I do.”
I like Florida spring training, but it gets pretty hot there in the summer, hotter than here. That’s how I ended up here in Boston.
Q. Are you related to the Hulk or the Jolly Green Giant?
A. Hulk and I are distant cousins. The Jolly Green Giant, I don’t know much about him.
Q. What was the greatest Red Sox moment for you?
A. 2004, obviously, to break the curse. But to be able to be with the fans at home in 2013 was definitely a highlight.
Q. You accompanied Smokey Robinson singing “Sweet Caroline” for Neil Diamond in front of President Obama in 2011. What was that like?
A. That was at the Kennedy Center Honors. Yeah. That was a lot of fun. I always lip-synch. I let the better voice take over.
Q. Why didn’t you race in London last year against Freddie Mercury, the Loch Ness Monster, Winston Churchill, and Henry VIII?
A. Because I didn’t want to show anybody up overseas, and it was really hot there, so it was not a good idea.
Q. The Yankees had a mascot named Dandy. It was a pinstriped bird in 1980, but it didn’t last long. Did you ever meet him?
A. No. Not interested, either.
Q. You know, monsters are supposed to be scary. You’re not. Why not?
A. You know what? I never even thought about it that way. I don’t think kids like scary monsters, so I guess I have to be friendly.
Q. What’s the best part about being Wally?
A. You meet so many kids, going through chemo at the Jimmy Fund, Mass. General, or Children’s Hospital. Just being able to put a smile on a kid’s face that’s really having a tough day — even if it’s for just a minute or two — is probably the best feeling that you can have.
Baseball’s minor leagues left staring at unanswerable questions about the future
Michael Silverman
There are no more questions about the fate of the 2020 minor league baseball season. It’s over.
Next year, however, has become nothing less than a series of unanswerable questions.
Will the pandemic alter the contentious dynamic between Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball over their Professional Baseball Agreement talks?
Will there be 40 fewer teams next season?
Which 40 teams will they be?
How many of the 120 survivors will be unable to continue because of the economic hit from this year?
Will talks conclude before the PBA expires Sept. 30?
As MiLB president Pat O’Conner said over and over in remarks to reporters Tuesday, we’ll all just have to wait to find out.
“I can’t answer that,” said O’Conner to one of the biggest questions, about whether there will be 160 teams next season. “There are no agreements with MLB on a successor PBA, and the real concern is as serious as the threat from MLB was, that was objective and subjective.
“This threat from the coronavirus, it transcends any list that anybody wants to make with respect to the possibility of teams not being around in the future. Deep into the 120, what are traditionally very strong clubs are in dire straits. The pandemic hasn’t determined how many will be left.”
O’Conner said it probably has been six weeks since any substantive talks were held, and he has not pressed MiLB’s negotiating committee or MLB to get back to the table, not with a pandemic flaring across the country. Before that, there were signs that MiLB had all but conceded that MLB was going to get its way on the contraction front.
That concession felt less certain Tuesday, when O’Conner could not really say how the pandemic will materially affect the talks and whether one side or the other would gain an advantage
“I think that right now that’s a push, it’s to be determined,” he said. “I think there’s no question what the pandemic has done is make us somewhat weaker economically. I don’t think it’s challenged our resolve. I don’t think it’s impacted our desire to stick together and get a good deal.
“Again, we’re talking about looking into a very hazy future. The future is not clear to us, so I think in six months, give me a call and ask me that question again and I’ll try to give you a better answer.”
With roughly 90 days left before the PBA expires, O’Conner hinted that talks could extend beyond the date on the agreement.
“Sept. 30 is the day the agreement expires, not a day we walk away from the table,” said O’Conner. “If you think back to the last difficult negotiations we had, which was in the early ’90s, that agreement was settled and ratified in December. We are still committed to getting a deal.”
O’Conner emphasized that he does not want the agreement to expire, as it would open up too much speculation over the direction and power structure of MiLB. He wants talks to conclude with a new PBA.
“Our future needs to be more than 90 days, our future needs to be more than a couple years for us to overcome the financial hit of the pandemic,” said O’Conner. “We do not need the uncertainty of the future hanging over our heads — that’s our perspective.
“We’re very interested in getting a fair deal that allows us to continue to serve as many communities as possible and serve our partners in MLB with facilities for developing young players.”
When it came to MiLB undergoing a realignment in the wake of the pandemic, never mind as a result of a new PBA, O’Conner was at a similar loss for a valid answer at a time when the entire industry of professional baseball is grappling with existential matters.
“Let’s face it, we’re trying to be good partners with MLB, and what they have in front of them is a monumental task,” he said. “We’re not calling there every day or complaining and talking about our situation. We have some time.
“Is there a chance [of realignment]? I think there is. How good a chance, I’d be remiss to prognosticate.”
* MassLive.com
Boston Red Sox’ Matt Hall watched David Ortiz’s Nostradamus walk from Fenway stands, has chance to pitch important innings in 2020
Christopher Smith
Red Sox newcomer Matt Hall’s first true Fenway Park moment?
The 26-year-old left-hander attended a couple of games there during summer 2014 when he pitched for the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod League — and he saw David Ortiz’s Nostradamus walk vs. the Chicago Cubs.
“My host dad used to work on (then-manager) John Farrell’s boat,” Hall told MassLive.com in March before the coronavirus pandemic suspended the season. “So we got hooked up with tickets and stuff.”
Ortiz already was headed to first base well before Neil Ramírez’s pitch reached the catcher.
“It’s like he knew the other team was unintentionally intentionally walking him,” recalled Hall who attended the game with about 10 teammates. “He literally was out of the box before the pitch even got to home plate. It was pretty cool.”
Hall — who also participated in a showcase at Fenway Park that summer — is excited to make this his home ballpark. His memories from his summer down the Cape include Red Sox games, eating delicious seafood, hanging out at the beach and visiting Martha’s Vineyard.
“I loved it up in the Northeast,” he said. “I’m excited to get back to it.”
Hall was one of 47 Red Sox players scheduled to report to summer training camp Wednesday at Fenway Park. Players underwent COVID-19 testing. They will begin official workouts Friday. The regular season will begin July 23 and 24.
Hall is one of several Red Sox bulk-inning pitchers who should be relied on heavily when the regular season begins.
Summer training camp will last only three weeks without many exhibition games, if any at all. And so it’s unclear how deep into games starters will pitch right away. The Red Sox — who are without Chris Sale (Tommy John surgery) — also likely will use an opener every fifth day.
Expanded rosters for the season’s first 29 days will allow MLB teams to carry extra pitchers to cover those innings.
Hall, Mike Shawaryn, Chris Mazza, Jeffrey Springs, Brian Johnson, Kyle Hart, Darwinzon Hernandez and Phillips Valdez could open or provide multiple innings following the starting pitcher or opener. All these pitchers should receive an opportunity to throw important innings during a shortened 60-game schedule.
“That’s one thing I think I have going for me: that I can start. I can relieve. I can be long, be short (in relief),” Hall said.
Teams will be allowed to carry 30 players on their active rosters until the 15th day of the season. Active roster reduce to 28 on the 15th day, then reduces to 26 players on the 29th day of the season.
Hall has experience starting and relieving. He made 85 starts and 37 relief appearances in the minors. He has made 21 major league appearances (31 ⅓ innings), all in relief.
The lefty struck out 27 batters in 23 ⅓ innings (10.4 K/9) for the Detroit Tigers last year but he also averaged 5.8 walks per nine innings and posted a 7.71 ERA. The Red Sox acquired him from Detroit for minor league catcher Jhon Nunez in January.
“My go-to pitch is my curveball right now,” Hall said. “My curveball and fastball play well together. So that’s usually my combo. Occasionally I’ll mix in the changeup or the cutter/slider but mainly it’s those two.”
Hall’s fastball averaged only 90.5 mph last year, but the pitch has some deception. He used it 66.3% in ‘19, per Baseball Savant. He added in his curveball 24.0%, his cutter/slider 5.4% and his changeup 3.4%.
He knows he needs to reduce his walk rate.
“Just attack more,” he said. “Stop nibbling. Even the best hitters get out seven out of 10 times, right? So the main thing is just have the confidence and let my defense work behind me.”
Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said Monday that Hall is a candidate to open games.
“If it’s just one inning or two innings from them (openers), and then you come in with what most teams have done that bulk (reliever) after that,” Roenicke said during a Zoom call. “But there’s so many different ways to do it. If you have a guy who can throw three or four innings and he opens it up and he’s breezing through, maybe you leave him in longer so that next guy that you’re thinking with bulk, maybe he’s a little bit shorter.
“And if you’re winning that game — like I said we know how important all these games are — then maybe you’re bringing in your bullpen pieces, your one-inning guys a little sooner than you would because you want to make sure you win that game,” Roenicke added. “The game really will dictate how we use these guys. But we do have a lot of guys that can go multiple innings, which is really helpful.”
Hall still feels new to relieving.
In 2018, the Tigers spoke with him at the end of spring training about using him as a long reliever.
“I started out doing really well as a reliever and actually got moved back to the rotation in June,” Hall said. “And I did well there so they kept me in the rotation. I went up to Triple A. Still started and made it up to the big leagues that September and was in the bullpen.
“It took a little bit to find a routine to get into,” Hall added. “I’m still new to it. I’m still learning. I follow these guys around here and try to learn some different routines, trying to find something that clicks for me.”
Hall often had reverse splits in the minors, faring better vs. right-handed hitters than left-handed hitters.
“Personally, I enjoy facing right-handers more than I like facing left-handers,” Hall said. “That’s just how my stuff plays. I don’t know why. I don’t know how.”
Boston Red Sox’s Kevin Pillar in cactus face mask, Mitch Moreland camouflage as players arrive for coronavirus testing at Fenway Park
Christopher Smith
Kevin Pillar arrived in a cactus face mask. Mitch Moreland wore a camouflage mask as he walked into Fenway Park on Wednesday for spring training 2.0 (or summer training camp).
Boston Red Sox players underwent coronavirus testing Wednesday. They will begin workouts at Fenway Park and Boston College on Friday.
MLB is restarting its 2020 season after suspending it March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic. A 60- game regular season is scheduled to begin July 23 and 24.
See photos below of Pillar, Moreland, Christian Vazquez, Jackie Bradley Jr. (on a scooter) and Martin Perez arriving at the ballpark. Michael Chavis also kept it loose as he usually does (see video below).
The Red Sox will resume spring training this week with 47 players, then expand the roster to 60 players after receiving the results of coronavirus testing.
“We had a lot of conversations about this and the right way to do it,” Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said during a Zoom call Monday. “Do you bring in some of your top prospects that you really don’t want to miss a season? And then you talk about, ‘Well, what happens if we get five or six guys that all of a sudden come in and test positive for the virus? So how do we best fill these 60 spots with what will help us not only this year but next year also?
“We think the testing part is critical to this,” Roenicke added. “If we all get through this testing part clean, and we don’t have some cases or at least not many (positive tests), then they feel like they can proceed with how we’re going to go with the next spots that are open on that 60 list. And I thought it was a really smart way to do this. And I know there’s a couple guys that I talked about, that I got to see in spring training that I thought, these are great looking players. They’re not ready for our team yet but those are guys that I really would like to play and get experience this year so they’re not set back for next year and we don’t lose them for really a year.”
60 player-pool so far (at 47 players): 40-man roster pitchers (21): Nathan Eovaldi, Chris Mazza, Austin Brice, Matt Barnes, Heath Hembree, Brandon Workman, Collin McHugh, Colten Brewer, Martín Pérez, Matt Hall, Eduardo Rodriguez, Jeffrey Springs, Darwinzon Hernandez, Ryan Weber, Ryan Brasier, Josh Taylor, Marcus Walden, Kyle Hart, Josh Osich, Phillips Valdez, Mike Shawaryn.
Non 40-man roster pitchers (3): Brian Johnson, Robinson Leyer, Domingo Tapia.
40-man roster catchers (2): Christian Vázquez, Kevin Plawecki
Non 40-man roster catchers (3): Connor Wong. Jett Bandy, Juan Centeno
40-man roster infielders (9): Xander Bogaerts, José Peraza, Rafael Devers, Mitch Moreland, Michael Chavis, Tzu-Wei Lin, Jonathan Araúz, C.J. Chatham, Bobby Dalbec.
Non 40-man roster infielders (2): Marco Hernandez, Yairo Muñoz
40-man roster outfielders (5): Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr., Kevin Pillar, Alex Verdugo, J.D. Martinez.
Non 40-man roster outfielders (2): John Andreoli, César Puello.
* RedSox.com
Inbox: How can Red Sox make a '20 playoff run?
Ian Browne
What would have to happen for this team to possibly make the playoffs despite the lack of starting pitching depth? -- @GaryStud94
The Red Sox can make the playoffs if the following three things happen: 1. They get consistently strong starts from Eduardo Rodriguez and Nathan Eovaldi and decent enough starts from Martín Pérez; 2. The big hitters (Rafael Devers, J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts) are hot for considerable portions of the short season; 3. The bullpen and the opener arrangement work out well.
What do you think the Red Sox’s biggest asset will be this year? -- @lawrencecarr33
The offense, even without Mookie Betts, should be pretty dangerous. Devers, Bogaerts and Martinez were three of the best offensive players in the American League last season. If Andrew Benintendi can get back to the player he was two years ago and Christian Vázquez comes close to what he did last year, that is a very strong offense. Add in a healthy Alex Verdugo and they can really be a productive unit.
Who do you see as the starting five? -- @andymalkasian
Rodriguez, Eovaldi and Pérez will hold down the first three spots. Ryan Weber seemed to have the inside track for the fourth spot, so we’ll see if that is still the case by the end of Summer Camp. The fifth spot will most likely be an opener. I think Collin McHugh and Darwinzon Hernandez will play key roles on that fifth day.
I might be overly optimistic, but don’t you think the Sox's 'pen makes a big jump? -- @TimSox30
I learned a long time ago that the hardest thing to predict each year with a team is the bullpen. However, the Red Sox do have the chance to have a good one. Brandon Workman was the most underrated closer in MLB in the second half of last season. Look at his numbers if you don’t believe me. Matt Barnes struggled in the first half, but he got back to being himself after the club stopped relying on him too heavily. He is a solid setup man.
The overall strength of the bullpen will depend on Hernandez and Josh Taylor taking additional steps forward after last year, and Heath Hembree being healthy and effective. Not many people know this, but Boston’s bullpen was really good after the All-Star break last season.
How is McHugh progressing? Dustin Pedroia? -- @ConlyJeff
By all accounts, McHugh used the time off to his benefit and the team believes he is healthy. He will be an important swingman for manager Ron Roenicke. I don’t see Pedroia playing this season, especially under these unique circumstances. The best hope is that Pedroia can at least get in some games next season before his contract runs out and he retires.
What will Chaim Bloom’s approach be this year when it comes to the Trade Deadline at the end of August? -- @benfaddenmlb
We need to see the season play out over the first month and change to know that. If the Red Sox stay in it, I’m sure Bloom will try to add a piece or two to supplement the team. If they fall out of it, look for him to dangle veterans for prospects.
Is Darwinzon Hernandez to the starting rotation still a possibility for this season? -- @seannybboi
Only in terms of opener scenarios. At times, you could see Hernandez get the first three to four innings in the fifth slot in the rotation. At other times, he could be the “bulk innings” guy that comes in behind the opener.
Who would you guess is the most likely rookie to make the team? Bobby Dalbec? Any chance for Jeter Downs or Triston Casas? Isn’t this an excellent opportunity to get guys some exposure and see what you've got? Service time aside of course. -- @tomnevin
Judging by the initial 47-player pool the Red Sox released, Dalbec has the best chance because he is part of the group. Downs and Casas could be added at any time, but I don’t think the club wants to rush them to the Majors this season. I think Dalbec would get called up only in the event that one of the other corner infielders suffers an injury. I don’t think it serves much of a purpose to have him taking up a roster spot if he is just going to be sitting on the bench.
Will Verdugo be in the No. 2 spot of the order? -- @CuetaraAlex
The only reason I hesitate to say yes is because Benintendi is likely to lead off. Do you want lefties in the first two spots in the order? Verdugo seems like the type of hitter who is versatile enough to hit anywhere from first through about seventh.
Does the luxury tax reset if only regular-season games are played and the playoffs are not completed? -- @fenway617
Great question. All I know for sure is this: If no season is played due to the pandemic, the Red Sox would not be able to reset their tax rate for 2021. In speaking to a Red Sox official earlier this week, that person still hadn’t received 100 percent clarity on what would happen if the season starts but is not played to completion. Stay tuned. They will be able to reset for sure if both the 60-game regular season and postseason are played to completion.
Are the Sox going to travel by plane, train or bus? -- @keithbarber48
Due to the tightness of the schedule and very limited days off, the majority of Boston’s travel this season will be done by plane. There are other teams who are closer in proximity to the teams they will be playing, so they will likely use other means of transportation more. But with the Red Sox, the closest opponent would be the Yankees and Mets, and that’s a near four-hour trip by train or bus.
* WEEI.com
Reflecting on the (likely) end of the Rusney Castillo era
Rob Bradford
The list came out and Rusney Castillo's name wasn't on it. It wasn't a surprise.
When the Red Sox released the 47 names who would make up their initial wave of players to participate in Spring Training 2.0 Castillo didn't make the cut for obvious reasons. Because of his contract and the implications -- even in a shortened season -- a promotion to the big league club would be too much of a hit to the club's luxury tax threshold. The 32-year-old didn't have a chance. And if you're holding your breath that he might be one of the later additions, don't.
"It would be a tough fit," said one person in the know.
While we knew even a normal baseball season wasn't going to result in Castillo finding his way back to the major leagues, he was still going to be a member of the organization for one more year. He also was going to eclipse more than 500 games played for Triple-A Pawtucket, putting him only behind Chico Walker (665) and Sam Bowen (609).
But now no more Rusney.
"I understand that I have to go out and have the best year I can because it is a contract year for me," Castillo told WEEI.com through a translator in the first spring training. "Whatever happens afterwards, happens but I’m just preparing myself to hopefully get a chance to be up in the major leagues.
"I’m really just focused on this season. I’m focused on the present and whatever happens after I’m trying to get that contract. But what I’m more focused on is now and whatever comes after will get settled when it does."
So when Castillo hits free agency this coming offseason, his resume is locked in. It is a track record that is seven years of ups and downs Red Sox fans will not soon forget.
It started with that seven-year, $72.5 million contract signed with the Red Sox in 2014. While he managed to see 10 major league games that season it was clear Castillo was a work in progress, really not exhibiting one feature which made him stand out. Some behind the scenes wanted to compare his end-game to Shane Victorino (a comp the former All-Star rightfully bristled at), but that image never came close.
(The perception was that the Red Sox' aggressiveness when it came to signing Castillo was due to narrowly missing out on fellow Cuban Jose Abreu the year before.)
Heading into 2015 Castillo was actually on fairly even-footing with Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr. in terms of finding a spot in the Red Sox' lineup. But that was short-lived with the righty hitter playing in just 80 games with the Red Sox and another 40 with the PawSox. He still failed to distinguish himself, hitting .253 with a .647 OPS, five homers and four stolen bases in nine attempts.
Then came Dave Dombrowski. When it came to Castillo's time as a major leaguer in Boston, that was that.
The new Red Sox president of baseball operations had made a run at Castillo as the GM of Detroit, but clearly had little patience with the outfielder's offensive struggles while watching him with the Red Sox. So in June 2016 Castillo was sent down to the minors. He would never return.
To the outfielder's credit, his game did emerge into something many consider major league quality. That first full season with the PawSox in 2017 Castillo hit .314 with an .857 OPS, 15 homers and 14 steals in 16 tries. The following season he hit .319, with 2019 resulting in another solid campaign in Pawtucket (.278/.769/17 homers).
And when we did see him in a Red Sox uniform during those spring training stints, he usually impressed. The last we saw Castillo he was hitting .429 (12-for-28) with a .964 OPS during the 2020 Grapefruit League season.
But now? With no minor league season and no hope of participating in the rebooted Red Sox season, Castillo is left looking forward to his next stop.
It was an interesting run.
* BostonSportsJournal.com
Five thoughts as we await baseball’s imminent return
Sean McAdam
On Friday, the Red Sox will resume preparing for the 2020 season, having been shut down since the middle of March thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are some thoughts until then…..
1. One on-line oddsmaker (Oddsshark.com) has listed the Red Sox’ over-under win total at 31.5. Extrapolated for a 162-game season, that would translate to 85 wins, or, one more than the Red Sox logged in 2019. Usually, the Vegas wise-guys are pretty spot-on with their numbers and I believe that’s the case here. The Red Sox appear, on paper, to be basically a .500 team — give or take a game or two.
Of course, the difficult thing about attempting to predict what’s going to happen in a truncated season should be obvious by now. There are so many variables here, not the least of which involves attempting to foresee how many players might be sidelined by a positive test, or, for that matter, injuries. Over a normal, six-month season, a 10-day trip the injured list for a tight hamstring would be no big deal. Here, it could represent about a quarter of the season (if it were to stretch to 15 days).
And if you’re wondering, this particular site has six other A.L. teams finishing above the Sox in win totals — the Yankees (37.5), Astros (35), Twins (34.5), Rays (34), Angels (32) and Indians (32) — and the White Sox (31.5) tied with the Sox. That leaves the Red Sox just outside the playoff picture, not so far that they couldn’t contend and slip in. All of which sounds about right.
2. It’s been obvious for some time now, but news of the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season still stings. In New England alone, there are three Red Sox affiliates (Pawtucket, Portland and Lowell) and having them shuttered for the year takes away an affordable opportunity to watch pro ball — and perhaps introduce some young fans to the game. To say nothing of those who depend on these affiliates for employment — seasonal or otherwise.
3. Since games will only be consumed by fans via TV/Radio this season, the good news for NESN viewers is that the broadcast team will include both Jerry Remy and Dennis Eckersley — along with play-by-play voice Dave O’Brien. The plan is for the trio to work all games — even those at Fenway — from NESN’s Watertown studio, with proper health and safety protocols in place. Those precautions will allow Remy to do all (or the vast majority) of the games, something he wouldn’t have been able to do if the Sox sent their broadcast team on the road with the club. Remy’s age (67) and health history would have made his especially vulnerable while Eckersley, 65, had little interest in doing so many road games. At a time when fans will be more dependent than ever on NESN, it’s nice that the best possible team will be in place for the entire season.
4. Among the most surprising omissions from the initial 47-man Red Sox player pool is Jeter Downs, the second-best piece in the Red Sox mega-deal with the Dodgers in February. Downs was likely ticketed for Triple-A this season and could well be the team’s starting second baseman in 2021. It’s not like it would have been a stretch to envision Downs getting a look-see in the second half of a standard 162-game schedule. And even if he’s not someone who could conceivably make his major league debut this season, surely the Sox would want him to continue to develop as part of the ad-hoc group that will be playing intra- squad games at McCoy Stadium this summer. Again, there’s plenty of time for him to be added to the player pool. It’s just a bit strange that he’s not already there.
5. The Players Association is attempting to keep the names of players contracting the coronavirus from being publicly disclosed. On one hand, that’s understandable, since infected players — like any other patient — deserve privacy. But that has the potential to create significant confusion. Imagine, in the coming weeks, players being put on the IL, with no reason given for the designation, nor, no timetable provided for a player’s potential return. Those roster moves will be shrouded in mystery. In time, when no reason is given for a move, it will become obvious that said player had tested positive for the virus. So, why not acknowledge that and remove any subterfuge from the process. There’s no shame in announcing a player has tested positive. Being forthright with this information could go a long way in eliminating baseless speculation and provide an honest account of a player’s availability.
* The Athletic
Red Sox mailbag: Almost time for ‘Summer Camp,’ and there’s plenty to discuss
Jen McCaffrey
On Friday, the Red Sox will hold their first workout since March 12 as MLB’s second “spring” training — summer camp — gets underway.
We figured it’d be a good time to take some questions from you about this unorthodox season. So here’s what was on your mind:
Do you think the Red Sox will add Kevin Plawecki and Jonathan Lucroy to the 26-man roster? Or three catchers total? — Matt Poirier, via email
When the season opens on July 23-24, teams will have to submit active rosters with a maximum of 30 players. Two weeks later, those rosters will need to be trimmed to 28, then down to 26 after another two weeks. I could see the Sox carrying Plawecki and Lucroy for at least those first two weeks, when rosters are at 30, to rotate through their catchers to keep guys fresh. After that, I imagine one of them will remain at the satellite location (Triple-A Pawtucket) for call-ups to the roster or taxi squad. MLB is requiring at least one catcher to be part of the team’s three-man taxi squad, which will travel with the team on every road trip.
How much time does Lucroy see this year? — Matt Pankratz, @czmilosz
So this question coincides with the one above. Earlier this spring, I had given the edge to Lucroy because of his experience and track record as a solid defensive catcher in handling a pitching staff. But Plawecki had a nice offensive spring (9-for-19) and proved more than capable behind the plate. For what it’s worth, Lucroy also had a nice spring at the plate, going 6-for-20. But those tiny sample numbers matter even less now after more than three months away. I honestly think it’ll come down to which of them gets in a better groove over the first few weeks of camp, but with the fluidity of the rosters, both will likely get ample playing time as backups to Christian Vázquez. It’s also very possible some team will need catching help ahead of the Aug. 31 trade deadline, and the Red Sox could use that to their advantage.
What’s the plan for players like Jarren Duran who aren’t on the 60-man roster but need to develop still? — Will Wiquist, @Wiquist
The Red Sox submitted only a 47-man roster on Sunday at the deadline, meaning they can add up to 13 more players for their 60-man player pool. Teams will be able to make normal transactions throughout the year via trades or waiver claims, etc. If a player is removed from the 60-man player pool, though, he cannot be added back later without going through waivers. I have a feeling we’ll see some more names in the coming days, perhaps including Duran, Tanner Houck, Bryan Mata or Jeter Downs. Those guys probably aren’t quite major-league-ready but were in big-league camp this spring and could certainly benefit from continued development and competition.
Earlier this week, manager Ron Roenicke spoke in general terms about how the organization tried to compile the roster, especially in regards to prospects. Basically, if the 47 players the Red Sox have already named are healthy, they’ll consider adding prospects to their pool. But if a handful of guys are sick, they’ll need to fill those spots with more major-league-ready players. There’s no deadline to name players to the 60-man pool.
“We had a lot of conversations about this and the right way to do it. Do you bring in some of your top prospects that you really don’t want to miss a season?” Roenicke said. “Then you talk about: What happens if we get five or six guys all of a sudden come in and test positive for the virus? How do we best fill these 60 spots with what will help us not just this year but next year also? We thought about bringing the number we brought in, and we think the testing part is critical. If we get through the testing part clean and don’t have some cases, or at least not many, then we feel like we can proceed with how we’ll go with the next spots that are open on the 60-man list. I thought it was a really smart way to do this. I know there are a couple guys I talk about that I got to see in spring training that I thought were great-looking players. They aren’t ready for our team yet. But those are guys that I really would like to be able to play and get experience this year so they’re not set back for next year and we don’t lose them for really a year.”
Do you see an internal candidate for the fifth starter or do you think they’ll go to a free agent? — vancityredsoxfan, @djbeefthief
Brian Johnson, Kyle Hart and Jeffrey Springs are three currently in the player pool who saw time this spring starting games for the Red Sox. They were followed to the mound by relievers like Austin Brice, Matt Hall, Colten Brewer, Robinson Leyer, Chris Mazza, Josh Osich, Mike Shawaryn, Domingo Tapia and Phillips Valdéz, each of whom is also part of the current player pool. Roenicke indicated there likely won’t be one set pitcher who serves as the opener every fifth day. The opposing lineup will help determine the opener. It’s possible they’ll look at the free-agent market, but I think they’ll start with this group.
What is the chance Collin McHugh can make a meaningful contribution in the 60-game season? — William Griffin, @William31611214
Since I knew this question was coming, I didn’t add McHugh to the list above, but he’s certainly in the mix. He’s still working his way back from a procedure he had on his arm in December. Roenicke said McHugh has been throwing bullpens from his home over the last few months and that he’s tentatively scheduled to throw on Friday at Fenway in front of Red Sox staff. At that point, they’ll sit down with him (at a distance) and map out a plan for what role they think he’ll best fit. When McHugh arrived in Red Sox camp just before the shutdown in March, he did say he’d prefer a more defined role rather than flipping between starting and relieving, which he believes might have led to his arm issues.
I expect the Red Sox to be around a .500 team, but how important will the rotation need to be for them to be in the wild-card race? — Ben Fadden, via email
The Red Sox offense will be OK. Losing Mookie Betts is huge, but they’ll still be able to produce runs. The rotation is what will make or break their chances. Not only will Eduardo Rodríguez, Nathan Eovaldi and Martín Pérez need to pitch deep into games, but the Red Sox will also need at least mediocre production from Ryan Weber and the rest of the opener options. Then you have to factor in health. This quick ramp-up makes it seem inevitable at least some guys will go down with injuries. So all of that together is a tall task.
Are there ideas as to how a starting rotation might be used differently within a shortened season? — Will Wiquist, @Wiquist
Roenicke said he still anticipates keeping the three main starters — Rodríguez, Eovaldi and Pérez — on a five-day rotation. The other two spots are still undecided, but it’s sounding like they plan to give Weber a shot in that fourth starter spot. He emerged as a candidate in the spring after a few solid outings. As for the fifth spot, the plan for now is still an opener, but it sounds like they’ll rotate a few guys through that spot and sort of mix and match depending on the opponent.
If Roenicke leads this team over .500, how much tougher would that make Chaim Bloom’s decision on whether to move on from him after this season? — Ben Fadden, via email
On the surface, it would be tough if Roenicke has a successful season in such a trying year and Bloom still cuts ties with him. But we’ve seen Bloom make tough, unemotional decisions before (i.e., he traded Betts). When Bloom was hired, ownership made it clear he wouldn’t be able to name his own manager, which is generally something an incoming general manager-type gets to do. Then Alex Cora was dismissed after the sign-stealing scandal and technically Bloom had a chance to name his own guy, but it was so late in the offseason that most ideal candidates were already working somewhere else. That coupled with the fact that Roenicke knew the players and how the Red Sox operate in general made it a wise decision to stick with him. But that doesn’t obligate him to stick with Roenicke for the future. It seems like they have a good working relationship, but I have to imagine Bloom has a few names in mind of guys with whom he’d like to work.
How many games or days does Jonathan Arauz have to be in the majors for Boston to control his rights? — Ray, @LCBF
Arauz, an infielder, is a Rule 5 draftee the Red Sox acquired in December from the Astros. The rules are a bit complicated, but Rule 5 draftees must remain on a team’s active roster the entire season or be put on waivers. If he clears waivers, he must be offered back to his previous team for $50,000 and can only be outrighted to the minors if his original club doesn’t wish to reacquire him. As long as Arauz is on the active roster for at least 50 days this season, he won’t have to repeat the process next year and can be become a normal member of the team’s 40-man roster.
Arauz played in 14 games this spring and collected six hits. His defensive versatility will help give the Red Sox more options. He plays mostly second and short but can also play third. He’s only 21, so the thought is there’s a lot of room for growth and that’s likely why the Red Sox are giving him this chance. Splitting time between High A and Double A last year, he hit .249 with a .707 OPS over 115 games with 22 doubles and 11 homers.