2019 Opening Day roster

Ale Xander

Hamilton
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Oct 31, 2013
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Locks
OF Betts
OF JBJ
OF Beni
OF JDM
1B Pearce
SS Bogey
P Sale
P Price
P Porcello
P Eovaldi
P Barnes
P Brasier
P Wright
That's 13

99% locks
UT Holt
2B Nunez
3B Devers
P Erod
17

If Moreland or Pedroia are healthy, that's 19

In april/march, with the offdays, do you go with 11 pitchers?
Do BJ and Velasquez both have options? One of them stays as long.emergency guy, right?
Thornburg should make it based on investment and experience. (Is he healthy?)
Then one of Poyner/Walden/Hembree/Workman as reliever #6
22

Probably taking only 2 catchers?
Vasquez for sure, he's been playing with the starters all camp
Guessing Leon as the 2nd one?
24

Spot 25?
Swihart as catcher #3? (can we trade him for his worth? Is it poor form to trade after brother's death? He can't play the field if he's the #2 catcher, but he can if 3rd)
Brentz as power bat off the bench and 5th OF, keeping Nunez and Holt for IF? Hitting great so far.
Another pitcher?
Lin for defense?

Does Pedroia or Moreland start on the DL to open up another spot?
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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99% locks
UT Holt
2B Nunez
3B Devers
P Erod
You've piqued my curiosity...what is the 1% scenario in which one of these guys doesn't make the Opening Day roster? I presume it isn't injury because everybody should be included in that possibility.
 

effectivelywild

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You've piqued my curiosity...what is the 1% scenario in which one of these guys doesn't make the Opening Day roster? I presume it isn't injury because everybody should be included in that possibility.
I assume the 1% for Erod involves the Indians trading the BoSox Kluber and Carrasco for a PTBNL or cash considerations
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
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Oct 31, 2013
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You've piqued my curiosity...what is the 1% scenario in which one of these guys doesn't make the Opening Day roster? I presume it isn't injury because everybody should be included in that possibility.
Devers has an option, in theory can be beaten out by Chavis or Dalbec
Erod can be beaten out by someone unexpected, or an unexpected signing
Nunez can be beaten out defensively by Lin
Holt I guess can be traded, if they decide they don't need his versatility because they have it with other guys that are better defensively (Lin) or offensively (Swihart)
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
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Have you looked at the schedule?

11 pitchers is impossible.
12 is unlikely, imho.

I think this discussion has been going on elsewhere already.
Didn't see that thanks. Off-season thread? I guess this isn't the off-season any more, plus I've been told that more threads are good.
 

Lose Remerswaal

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Chances Mejia makes the club?
0.01%. Maybe if there are multiple injuries

Didn't see that thanks. Off-season thread? I guess this isn't the off-season any more, plus I've been told that more threads are good.
Well considered ones are.

Ones that think the team can start with 11 pitchers due to all the early off days really aren't good.

Ones that ask the same questions that have been answered elsewhere aren't
 

RedOctober3829

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deep inside Guido territory
C-Leon, Swihart
(Vazquez gets traded to KC)
1B-Moreland, Pearce
2B-Pedroia
SS-Bogaerts
3B-Devers
UTIL-Holt, Nunez
LF-Benintendi
CF-JBJ
RF-Betts
DH-Martinez

SPs: Sale, Price, Porcello, Eovaldi, Rodriguez
RPs: Barnes, Brasier, Thornburg, Workman, Hembree, Johnson, Wright
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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Noteworthy beyond the Pedroia news itself is that with him starting the year on the injured list, the plan is to carry 13 pitchers to start the year. With the plan to go with a 6-man rotation on the opening road trip, 13 pitchers enables them to have a full bullpen complement without anyone pulling double duty. It also suggests that they won't be carrying three catchers since a 3-man bench means room for only Pearce/Moreland, Holt/Nunez, and one catcher.
 

PaulinMyrBch

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MYRTLE BEACH!!!!
They may open with Darwinzon Hernandez as the 13th pitcher. Have him be the long man out of the pen and then send him down to start in minors when Pedroia joins team.
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
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Oct 31, 2013
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Noteworthy beyond the Pedroia news itself is that with him starting the year on the injured list, the plan is to carry 13 pitchers to start the year. With the plan to go with a 6-man rotation on the opening road trip, 13 pitchers enables them to have a full bullpen complement without anyone pulling double duty. It also suggests that they won't be carrying three catchers since a 3-man bench means room for only Pearce/Moreland, Holt/Nunez, and one catcher.
In that case , don't you have to carry Swihart over Leon for the position flexibility?
 

Plympton91

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Hard to beleive he isn't toast at this point. Too bad such a great player.
Holy overreaction Batman. They start the season with 11 straight games. Pedroia will need days off, meaning they’d be playing with a 24 man roster. Plus, they haven’t stretched out their starting pitchers, which will limit them to 5 or 6 innings the first time around the rotation. That means they need an extra reliever. And nobody on the desired position player roster has options, which means they’d either have to cut someone or put someone on the DL. All of that adds up to having Pedy start the season on the DL being a no brainer, even if he’s raring to go.
 

findguapo

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Hard to beleive he isn't toast at this point. Too bad such a great player.
I went out to the minor league fields last week when the Red Sox were away at the Tigers. Pedroia played 4 or 5 innings, had at least 3 at bats, and looked completely normal to me. He made a vintage diving Pedroia play in the hole, jumping up and throwing the guy out. From what I saw, I am surprised he is missing the start of the season, but he is still only playing once every 2 or 3 days, so it seems to me like they are just building him up really slowly.
 

Monbonthbump

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What ever happened to Lin? Was he sent down as a backup utility in case someone gets hurt? He has his limitations, but does seem to have a knack for making things happen when he shows up. Just wondering
 

geoflin

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I read in The Athletic (subscription required) today that Hernandez is taking BP but hasn't been in the field yet.

"Marco Hernandez – Also played in a minor league game on Monday and went 0-for-3. Notable that Hernandez was a designated hitter in that game. He’s still not ready to play the field after a lengthy recovery from shoulder issues. “Obviously, he hasn’t played in a while,” Cora said. “And we still have a lot of time for that, but just to see him compete out there, I know he’s happy with the progression and we’re very pleased with how he’s gone about his business.”
 
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Ale Xander

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Oct 31, 2013
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Looks like we have:

1B Moreland
2B/IF Nunez
SS Bogey
3B Devers
IF/2B Holt
DH/CO JDM
PH/emergency CI Travis
OF Beni
OF Betts
OF JBJ
C Vasquez
C/emergency OF until Pearce back Swihart
13 pitchers or 12 pitchers + Lin
DL1/(will replace P13/Lin) Pedroia
DL2 (will replace Travis) Pearce
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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Looks like we have:

1B Moreland
2B/IF Nunez
SS Bogey
3B Devers
IF/2B Holt
DH/CO JDM
PH/emergency CI Travis
OF Beni
OF Betts
OF JBJ
C Vasquez
C/emergency OF until Pearce back Swihart
13 pitchers or 12 pitchers + Lin
DL1/(will replace P13/Lin) Pedroia

DL2 (will replace Travis) Pearce
Cora's already said it will be 13 pitchers until Pedroia is ready. Lin will start the year in Pawtucket barring an injury today in Arizona.
 

gedman211

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David Price will Open #Redsox season as 5th starter because of illness during the spring but can pitch out of relief in earlier games, Alex Cora says
Let's just make this a thing that Price and Eovaldi do on their throw days. Baseball is allergic to innovation. Give these guys 20 innings a piece in high lev situations and spare us from watching Thornburg Hembree Brewer and Workman cough up a game in a tight spot. I guarantee you that no one has definitive data that throwing an inning instead of a side session will lead to more injuries.
 

Ale Xander

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Let's just make this a thing that Price and Eovaldi do on their throw days. Baseball is allergic to innovation. Give these guys 20 innings a piece in high lev situations and spare us from watching Thornburg Hembree Brewer and Workman cough up a game in a tight spot. I guarantee you that no one has definitive data that throwing an inning instead of a side session will lead to more injuries.
This is exactly why I am for an 11-pitcher staff.
 

reggiecleveland

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There is a good reason no one has that data.

And if you think throwing on the side = a high leverage inning of relief you don't know much about pitching
I agree it is rare this could work. You almost need a backup to warm up behind the starter, if he gets in trouble and has to throw more pitches.
OTOH perhaps Cora has some highly specific plans, like Price pitches to these two batters, etc, Evo this guy, etc, that could work. I will be shocked if it becomes a thing though.
 

Mueller's Twin Grannies

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Since nobody's posted a link or anything, here's the official roster:

Pitchers:
Sale, Price, Porcello, Rodriguez, Eovaldi, Brewer, Hembree, Brasier, Barnes, Thornburg, Velázquez, Johnson, and Workman

Infielders:
Travis, Bogaerts, Moreland, Núñez, Devers, Holt

Catchers:
Swihart, Vázquez

Outfielders:
Betts, Bradley, Benintendi, Martinez (DH)

Injured List:
Pedroia, Pearce
 

Al Zarilla

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San Andreas Fault
Looks like we have:

1B Moreland
2B/IF Nunez
SS Bogey
3B Devers
IF/2B Holt
DH/CO JDM
PH/emergency CI Travis
OF Beni
OF Betts
OF JBJ
C Vasquez
C/emergency OF until Pearce back Swihart
13 pitchers or 12 pitchers + Lin
DL1/(will replace P13/Lin) Pedroia
DL2 (will replace Travis) Pearce
Nunez? That stone handed guy? Nah, not complaining about him anymore. He’s paid his dues.
 

geoflin

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I agree it is rare this could work. You almost need a backup to warm up behind the starter, if he gets in trouble and has to throw more pitches.
OTOH perhaps Cora has some highly specific plans, like Price pitches to these two batters, etc, Evo this guy, etc, that could work. I will be shocked if it becomes a thing though.
The discussion on using starters for high leverage relief appearances has to take into account the new rule change - a relief pitcher must pitch to either three batters or until the inning ends. So pitching to two batters doesn't work unless the inning ends.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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The discussion on using starters for high leverage relief appearances has to take into account the new rule change - a relief pitcher must pitch to either three batters or until the inning ends. So pitching to two batters doesn't work unless the inning ends.
The rule doesn't go into effect until next season, so it's irrelevant to the utilization of starters in the bullpen this year.

But the whole discussion is moot anyway. Using starters out of the pen on their "throw" day is a viable post-season strategy given that it's only 2-3 weeks at most and there's an element of "no tomorrow" involved. Over the course of 162 regular season games, it's just not sustainable. No individual game is worth potentially sacrificing future games down the road.
 

BaseballJones

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Reasons for optimism for the 2019 Red Sox:

- Terrific starting pitching.
- Dominant lineup that gets Pedroia back at some point to bolster 2b production.
- Two of the best hitters in all of baseball, playing at the peak of their powers, in Martinez and Betts.
- Unreal outfield defense.
- Versatile offense - can win with power, speed, you name it.
- Devers should be much improved.
- Great manager who really understands the game and manages his men well.

Reasons for pessimism for the 2019 Red Sox:

- I think the bullpen is a possible train wreck.
- Expect some regression from Betts and Martinez.
- Pedroia starting the season hurt.
- Offense at catcher is problematic.
- No financial wiggle room.
- Houston and NY are probable juggernauts. And Tampa should be really good as well.
 

bosockboy

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Reasons for optimism for the 2019 Red Sox:

- Terrific starting pitching.
- Dominant lineup that gets Pedroia back at some point to bolster 2b production.
- Two of the best hitters in all of baseball, playing at the peak of their powers, in Martinez and Betts.
- Unreal outfield defense.
- Versatile offense - can win with power, speed, you name it.
- Devers should be much improved.
- Great manager who really understands the game and manages his men well.

Reasons for pessimism for the 2019 Red Sox:

- I think the bullpen is a possible train wreck.
- Expect some regression from Betts and Martinez.
- Pedroia starting the season hurt.
- Offense at catcher is problematic.
- No financial wiggle room.
- Houston and NY are probable juggernauts. And Tampa should be really good as well.
If the bullpen is an actual train wreck, I have faith in DD to fix it. Hopefully the incredible offense and starting pitching will create enough run differential that it will minimize the bullpen somewhat until at least early summer. And they have a pile of young arms that should impact the pen at some point (Feltman/Hernandez/Lakins/Houck/Sharawyn).

Catcher offense was problematic last year and didn't phase us, Houston and NYY were juggernauts last year. They have enough money to get a reliever and stay under the threshold.

Not really worried about any of those, just need to go play well. Like any other season. And stay healthy.
 

Mueller's Twin Grannies

critical thinker
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Dec 19, 2009
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I think Swihart getting more playing time will lead to more catcher offense by default given how little Leon provided last year. I wouldn't be surprised if he was pushing for the lion's share of the starts by the ASB if he is the better of the offensive players at the position.
 

Sandy Leon Trotsky

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Mar 11, 2007
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Reasons for optimism for the 2019 Red Sox:

- Terrific starting pitching.
- Dominant lineup that gets Pedroia back at some point to bolster 2b production.
- Two of the best hitters in all of baseball, playing at the peak of their powers, in Martinez and Betts.
- Unreal outfield defense.
- Versatile offense - can win with power, speed, you name it.
- Devers should be much improved.
- Great manager who really understands the game and manages his men well.

Reasons for pessimism for the 2019 Red Sox:

- I think the bullpen is a possible train wreck.
- Expect some regression from Betts and Martinez.
- Pedroia starting the season hurt.
- Offense at catcher is problematic.
- No financial wiggle room.
- Houston and NY are probable juggernauts. And Tampa should be really good as well.
I’m betting on improvements from Benintendi and consistent production from JBJ
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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Reasons for pessimism for the 2019 Red Sox:

- I think the bullpen is a possible train wreck.
- Expect some regression from Betts and Martinez.
- Pedroia starting the season hurt.
- Offense at catcher is problematic.
- No financial wiggle room.
- Houston and NY are probable juggernauts. And Tampa should be really good as well.
Minor semantic quibble, but Pedroia is not hurt, he's just not ready. Ramping him up slowly doesn't strike me as a reason for pessimism.

Also, Houston and NY were expected to be juggernauts last year too (and they were damn good), but I don't think they look demonstrably more juggernaut-ish than the Sox do.
 

Mighty Joe Young

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From a positional standpoint:
C: Should be better
IB: Should be a little better
2B : Should be better - even if Pedey only gets ~300 ABs it should still be better than last year
3B : Should be really better
SS - About the same - maybe a slight regression
LF : Should be better
CF : Big Improvement - I think JBJ is going to have a monster year
RF: Minor regression
 

gedman211

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There is a good reason no one has that data.

And if you think throwing on the side = a high leverage inning of relief you don't know much about pitching
They're not equivalent, but that doesn't mean the attrition rates would differ. Are pitchers any healthier now than 40 years ago when we had 4 man rotations? Are they healthier in Japan where they use 6 man rotations? I just don't think we know much about why some pitchers get hurt and others don't. Some guys throw 40 innings and need Tomy John. Some guys throw 220 every year and never get hurt. If you need 100 wins to win the division, then every game is pretty much a playoff game. You've got 2 proven high-lev guys in the bullpen. You've got 2 "rubber arm" guys in Price and Eovaldi. I think we know what Workman, Hembree, Johnson and Velasquez are, and it isn't quality set-up men.
 

In my lifetime

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Every regular season game is the exact opposite of "pretty much a playoff game". That is definitely the wrong way to approach the marathon of the regular season. You need to preserve all your key players health.
 

gedman211

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Could giving 50 high lev innings to your starting staff yield 5 wins? I would say it's possible. Could 5 wins be the difference in winning and losing the division? Very likely. The wild card game is bullshit. It needs to be avoided at all costs.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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They're not equivalent, but that doesn't mean the attrition rates would differ. Are pitchers any healthier now than 40 years ago when we had 4 man rotations? Are they healthier in Japan where they use 6 man rotations? I just don't think we know much about why some pitchers get hurt and others don't. Some guys throw 40 innings and need Tomy John. Some guys throw 220 every year and never get hurt. If you need 100 wins to win the division, then every game is pretty much a playoff game. You've got 2 proven high-lev guys in the bullpen. You've got 2 "rubber arm" guys in Price and Eovaldi. I think we know what Workman, Hembree, Johnson and Velasquez are, and it isn't quality set-up men.
Eovaldi has had two Tommy John surgeries and David Price is a year removed from a season where he spent more time on the DL than not because of an elbow injury. I would not classify either one as a "rubber arm".

Pitchers weren't healthier 40 years ago when they had 4-man rotations, they were cheaper. Teams had no problem running pitchers into the ground because they could dump injured players cost-free and replace them with new cheap pitchers. There's a reason Dick Radatz's career lasted all of seven seasons, the last three of which were terrible and injury-marred. No chance he's used like that if his paycheck was 6-7 figures rather than 4-5.

I'm not so sure Japan pitchers are the epitome of health either, considering how much they're abused as high schoolers. Google Matsuzaka and his high school exploits, and then consider how fragile he turned out to be once he got here.

Ultimately, it's not a matter of health and whether the pitchers can handle it or not, it's the replacement cost if they do get hurt doing something that unorthodox.
 

AB in DC

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What's the hurry? Everyone else in the bullpen now has two full days of rest, so I doubt they'll need another 13th pitcher any time soon. Might as well wait until Holt is ready to come back.

edit: nm, I thought today was Thursday.
 
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Lose Remerswaal

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He was signed as a free agent to a minor league deal; can they option him or does he need to be DFA'd and clear waivers?
Good question

I'll give you a good answer" "Who cares". He is fungible. AB is right, though, he was the only one to pitch last night so the rest of the pen has had a full day and a half off, with Monday being that morning game