Once once more, we’ll name it a bridge yr.
Any argument that the Red Sox can be higher in 2023 than they had been in 2022 would require plenty of truth-bending, wishful pondering and the assumption that chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom is keen to mortgage the long run to get extra expertise on the sphere this yr.
He’s hardly proven a willingness to try this, leaving the Red Sox in place to hover round .500 for the second straight yr.
If there’s a purpose to be hopeful in any respect in regards to the Red Sox proper now, it requires a future-focused perspective.
No, 2023 doesn’t appear like their yr. But maybe 2024 and 2025 can be higher, with loads relying on the continued enchancment of the farm system and the event of key prospects like Marcelo Mayer and Nick Yorke.
The 11-year, $331 million contract extension for Rafael Devers is the brightest little bit of Red Sox information in years and ensures that they’ll have at the least one star participant beneath contract for a very long time.
But what’s going to the Red Sox lineup appear like in ‘23, ‘24 and ‘25?
Let’s begin with ‘23.
The Red Sox nonetheless want one other infielder, ideally a respectable shortstop who can maintain Trevor Story and his cranky elbow at second base, and so they’re probably so as to add one other outfielder, too. But with the roster as at the moment constructed, they might ship out an Opening Day lineup that appears like this:
1. Masataka Yoshida, LF
2. Rafael Devers, 3B
3. Trevor Story, SS
4. Triston Casas, 1B
5. Justin Turner, DH
6. Alex Verdugo, RF
7. Christian Arroyo, 2B
8. Kiké Hernandez, CF
9. Reese McGuire, C
The very first thing that stands out is the expertise on the high of the order. Perhaps an important piece is Yoshida, the 29-year-old outfielder from Japan who has eye-popping on-base numbers and will present the Red Sox with their first respectable leadoff hitter since Mookie Betts.
With 82 walks to 42 strikeouts and a .449 on-base proportion in 515 plate appearances with the Orix Buffaloes final yr, Yoshida displayed the type of potential that an OBP-starved group just like the Red Sox couldn’t move up on. A five-year deal value $90 million has the potential to appear like a steal, particularly standing subsequent to Brandon Nimmo’s $162 million contract with the Mets. But if Yoshida’s plate method and bat-to-ball abilities don’t translate towards considerably higher pitching in MLB, the Sox may appear like fools.
Behind Yoshida is Devers, who leads the majors with 264 extra-base hits since 2019, Story, whose 86 house runs rank fortieth in that span, and Casas, who has the ability and on-base potential to turn into a two-hole hitter sooner or later.
But the lineup depends closely on bounceback seasons from Story and 38-year-old Justin Turner, who hopes to parlay a robust second half right into a renaissance season in Boston. The Sox additionally want some growth from Alex Verudgo, who’s getting into a prove-it yr earlier than he’s eligible for arbitration a 3rd time subsequent winter.
Overall, the lineup has above-average potential however lacks dependable energy and depth.
Moving onto 2024, right here’s a best-guess lineup projection with gamers who’re at the moment within the group:
1. Yoshida, LF
2. Devers, 3B
3. Story, 2B
4. Casas, 1B
5. Turner, DH
6. Mayer, SS
7. Verdugo, RF
8. Caddanne Rafaela, CF
9. Connor Wong, C
Maybe Opening Day ’24, is a bit of early to count on Mayer to be within the huge leagues, however given Mayer’s pure expertise, it’s not a loopy suggestion. The finest gamers get to the massive leagues by 21 years outdated and Mayer is a consensus top-20 prospect. He hit .280 with a .399 OBP and .887 OPS throughout Single-A in his first skilled season as a 19-year-old. With one other huge yr of growth in ‘23, it’ll be laborious for the Sox to maintain him within the minors.
Rafaela has already confirmed the flexibility to hit in Double-A, extensively thought of a litmus take a look at for prospects, and will presumably make his debut someday this yr. While he’s thought of an above-average defender at shortstop, too, the Sox’ depth on the place would make Rafaela extra precious as heart fielder, significantly with Hernandez eligible free of charge company subsequent winter.
Surely, this group would wish to signal a middle-of-the-order bat, particularly if Turner fades and is not productive at 39 years outdated. Aside from Shohei Ohtani, who may get the largest contract in baseball historical past subsequent winter, there aren’t many big-time bats available, leaving the Sox in place to make trades or take a look at their younger expertise on the huge league degree.
Down the street additional, right here’s a Hail Mary projection for 2025:
1. Yoshida, LF
2. Devers, 3B
3. Mayer, SS
4. Casas, 1B
5. Story, 2B
6. Rafaela, CF
7. Nick Yorke, RF
8. Nico Kavadas, DH
9. Wong, C
OK, so it is a foolish train with out projecting the Red Sox to signal anyone in free company or make huge league acquisitions, nevertheless it’s enjoyable to think about a lineup that features Devers, Casas and Story together with high prospects Mayer, Rafaela and Yorke.
Yorke was thought of an formidable draft choice at seventeenth general in 2020, however regarded nice in his first professional season in 2021 (.325 common, .928 OPS) earlier than struggling on the plate at High-A Greenville final yr (.232/.668). A robust exhibiting on the Arizona Fall League (.342/.950) was good to see, and if the Sox are nonetheless going sturdy with Mayer/Story up the center, Yorke may slide in properly as a substitute for Verdugo in proper subject.
Kavadas isn’t thought of a real prospect, however the Eleventh-round pick of Notre Dame in 2011 confirmed superior energy and plate self-discipline in his first full skilled season throughout Single-A and Double-A (.280/.990) and has an opportunity to be a giant league contributor.
Overall, the Red Sox have plenty of work to do to get again to their profitable methods, however have some younger expertise to get enthusiastic about, significantly now that Devers can be within the lineup with them for years to come back.
Source: www.bostonherald.com