It's game time in Ft. Myers! Sure, the Red Sox are not playing Major League teams, but at least baseball is back. The Sox meet Boston College this afternoon at 1:05 and then host Northeastern University tonight at 6:05. Boston starts the big league portion of its Grapefruit League schedule tomorrow night against the Minnesota Twins at 7:05.
There is little competition for roster spots this spring. Though Terry Francona's official stance is that Coco Crisp is the incumbent center fielder, we all know that Jacoby Ellsbury will fill that position when the Sox tangle with the A's in Japan. The rest of the starting lineup is set.
The rotation will feature Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester and Tim Wakefield. The No. 5 spot is uncertain. It could be Clay Buchholz, or the Sox might start the phenom at Triple-A Pawtucket and use Julian Tavarez as a short-term solution. The recently signed Bartolo Colon will likely begin the season at Pawtucket, or in extended spring training. My projection is that Buchholz will serve as the No. 5 starter, and Tavarez as the long man and spot starter. Colon will only be part of the Sox rotation if there is an injury to one of the starters.
The bullpen will include Jonathan Papelbon, Manny Delcarmen, Hideki Okajima, Mike Timlin and Tavarez. There will be one additional lefty - either Javier Lopez or Craig Breslow. This leaves one spot that will probably be occupied by Kyle Snyder, David Aardsma or Bryan Corey. Dan Kolb and Dan Miceli were signed to minor league deals, so they can begin the year at Pawtucket. Snyder, Aardsma and Corey are out of options, and each has talent, so if they do not make the Red Sox opening day roster, chances are they will be snagged by another team with less bullpen depth. Top prospect Craig Hansen has a chance to earn the final spot, too.
The bench will be anchored by Alex Cora, Sean Casey and Doug Mirabelli. The fourth outfielder is yet to be determined. If the Sox do not trade him, Coco Crisp will fill the role. However, Crisp only wants to start, and that will not happen in Boston as long as Ellsbury is healthy. I believe that Bobby Kielty will win the fourth outfielder's spot.
As these spring training games will indicate, the Sox are loaded with depth at every position. Even though there is no clear heir apparent to Jason Varitek, guys like George Kottaras, Dusty Brown and Mark Wagner are no worse than backup catchers at the big league level.
An array of Major League ready help will be a phone call away at Pawtucket. Slugging left-handed hitter Chris Carter offers insurance at first base. Jed Lowrie will see time at second and shortstop, if needed. Don't forget about veterans Joe Thurston and Keith Ginter, infielders who have tasted success in the Major Leagues. Ditto for Junior Spivey, who plays in the infield and the outfield. Brandon Moss is Major League ready in the outfield. The only reason he will not make the opening day roster as the fourth outfielder is that he bats from the left side and the Sox need a right-handed hitting extra outfielder.
Josh Beckett and Kyle Snyder are expected to pitch this afternoon against Boston College with a starting lineup that includes every Sox regular except J.D. Drew and Manny Ramirez, who will both start in the night game. Bobby Kielty and Brandon Moss will get the call in the opener.
Justin Masterson, Craig Hansen and Michael Bowden are among the pitchers slated to throw against Northeastern. Crisp, Cora, Drew, Ramirez, Casey, Carter, Mirabelli, Lowrie and Ginter are expected to compose the lineup. It's not opening day at Fenway Park, but it will do for now!
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