Red Sox '18 preview: Positional player breakdown with evaluator takes

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Red Sox open their 2018 season Thursday at Tropicana Field. Here is BSJ's look at the positional roster as it currently stands, with additional comments from scouts, executives and other talent evaluators throughout baseball:

LINEUP

The Red Sox offense wasn't a complete disaster last year -- the team finished in the upper third of the American League in runs scored. But the lineup obviously lacked power, with the team finishing dead last in the AL in that category.

To address this shortcoming, the Sox entered into a winter-long, awkward dance with free agent J.D. Martinez before reaching an agreement with him after spring training was underway. Martinez has the ability to impact the whole lineup, providing protection for others and lengthening the batting order.

Elsewhere, the Red Sox will be counting on continued growth for two stars-in-the-making (Andrew Benintendi and Rafael Devers) and bounce-back seasons from no fewer than three everyday players: Xander Bogaerts, Mookie Betts and Hanley Ramirez.

Ordinarily, when a team is depending on that many things to work out, it's asking for trouble. But in this case, there were obvious health issues that caused sub-standard seasons, so a return to form is hardly out of the question.



FIRST BASE: Hanley Ramirez
Ramirez has a lot riding on this season, but then, so do the Red Sox. Ramirez needs 497 plate appearances to vest his 2019 contract option. The Red Sox need Ramirez to at least approximate the kind of season he had in 2016, the last year he played first base on a full-time basis, while posting an OPS of .866. For what it's worth, Ramirez is in terrific shape and has spent the spring saying all the right things regarding playing time. "I just want to win,'' was his spring mantra. If he can produce runs -- now that his left shoulder has been surgically repaired and he doesn't have to hit one-handed -- and play a competent first base, the Sox will take that.
Expert's take:  "He looks great, I'll say that. He's a little more streamlined (with his body) and I think that'll help. He doesn't have to be The Guy in the lineup; he only has to do his part. I think Martinez will help — he'll give him some protection, and maybe push him a little bit.''

SECOND BASE: Eduardo Nunez
Nunez, an early-spring addition to the roster, will handle second base in Dustin Pedroia's absence, meaning he'll likely man the position well into May. Given his knee, he'll need some occasional time off. Last season, Nunez added versatility and energy to the team. He's immensely popular with teammates and offers some speed and a little pop at the plate. He lacks great range at second, but should be adequate in the short-term. Once Pedroia returns, Nunez will shift to the super-utility role, ably filling in at second, short and third.
Expert's take: "I'm told he's healthy, but to me, he looks a little tentative still. Maybe he's been holding back a little this spring and just needs the season to get going, but at some point, he's got to trust the knee (will hold up).''



SHORTSTOP: Xander Bogaerts
No single player on the roster seems poised for a bigger comeback than Bogaerts, who played through a hand injury and appeared to land in John Farrell's doghouse last season. Bogaerts has put a lot of work in this spring -- both in the field and at the plate. Alex Cora, infield instructor Carlos Febles and quality control coach Ramon Vazquez all worked with Bogaerts on his defensive game while hitting coach Tim Hyers focused on trying to get him to be a little more aggressive at the plate. If the changes work, Bogaerts could be poised for a big season. It's easy to forget he was the Silver Slugger winner in both '15 and '16.
Expert's take: "He looks like a totally different player at short. They've worked with him to change his footwork and he looks a lot more agile (at short).''

THIRD BASE: Rafael Devers
Devers gave a tantalizing glimpse of what he might be capable of in his two-month audition in the second half. He plays the game with joy, doesn't rattle, and seems poised for a big season. One nagging question: Can he clean up his defense? No less an authority than Mike Lowell believes Devers has the ability — and the desire — to be a standout at third, but he continued to make some sloppy errors throughout the spring. The glove may take time, but there's little question about the bat.
Expert's take: "His raw power is really something. I'm sure he'll have to make some adjustments as the league learns how to pitch him, but I think he'll compensate. I see him hitting a lot of balls over -- and off -- The Wall.''



CATCHER: Christian Vazquez
It would appear Vazquez will be the team's No. 1 catcher, though Cora has been reluctant to articulate that, for whatever reason. The recent contract extension shows the commitment the team has to him. Vazquez made big strides last season at the plate, and though he'll never be an "offense-first'' catcher, he's capable of being a nice complementary piece in the lineup, with the power to occasionally pop one out. Defensively, he ranks among the handful of best receivers in the game.
Expert's take: "I see him being more and more confident this spring. He's taking charge (behind the plate) and isn't afraid to assert himself. That's a sign of maturity and a willingness to lead, which you like to see from a catcher.''

LEFT FIELD: Andrew Benintendi
Benintendi enjoyed a 20-20 season (20 homers, 20 steals) and the sense is that he hasn't begun to scratch the surface of his talent. He added 20 pounds of muscle in the off-season, which should help boost his power. Having him hit second in the order -- where managers often place their best pure hitters -- is evidence of how the Red Sox regard him.
Expert's take: "I'll be interested to see if the bigger body slows him down at all on the bases, because he's got underrated speed. I'm also interested to see how he handles center, because while he's pretty good in left, I think he's only average in center.''



CENTER FIELD: Jackie Bradley Jr.
Bradley stands to lose some playing time as part of The Great Outfield Rotation, with Martinez getting some time in left and Benintendi sliding over to play center to accommodate him. If Bradley can show more consistency at the plate and avoid those long droughts where he's expanding the zone, he'll make it harder for Cora to sit him. Bradley remains a joy to watch in center, though sometimes his throws can be erratic.
Expert's take: ''Here's what I would worry about -- Bradley is streaky and I think he needs regular playing time to figure things out. If he's in-and-out of the lineup, to me, that makes it difficult to find his swing.''

RIGHT FIELD: Mookie Betts
Betts is inarguably the Red Sox' best overall player. He's the best baserunner, the best defender, and has the perfect blend of speed and power that teams seek as their leadoff hitter. Cora loves the "instant offense'' potential Betts presents at the top of the lineup. Limited by some nagging injuries to his thumb and hand, don't be surprised if he puts up numbers similar to those he had in 2016 when he finished second in the AL MVP balloting.
Expert's take: "Just a great, great talent. I guess the only question is: are they going to be able to re-sign him?''



DH: J.D. Martinez
The Sox invested $110 million in the belief Martinez is The Missing Link -- the power bat that they lacked last season after David Ortiz retired. There are questions about his defense and some wonder if they're not asking for trouble by playing him in the outfield on a semi-regular basis. But there's little doubt about the impact he can have on the lineup.
Expert's take: "I don't say this lightly -- I think he's the best hitter in the game. He's so smart and so well-prepared. He may lose some homers in Fenway (because of his tendency to hit the ball to right center), but he'll do plenty of damage and his preparation will rub off on some others in the lineup.''

BENCH

This is undeniably a team strength. Of their four players in reserve, the Sox have versatility (Brock Holt and Blake Swihart), two switch-hitters (Swihart and Sandy Leon) and the luxury of a third catcher option (Swihart). More to the point, in an era when managers have come to value resting regulars and preserving them over the course of a long season, Cora will have a lot of moving parts with which to work.

Mitch Moreland
Moreland may find it tough to find playing time but figures to get some opportunities against certain righties and as a late-inning defensive replacement.
Expert's take: "He's the perfect role guy here -- a little pop off the bench and a good defender at first. And with a two-year deal, he won't be complaining about not being in the lineup more."

Sandy Leon
Solid catch-and-throw guy and in many ways, the perfect backup. Red Sox pitchers love throwing to him, and with the need to keep catchers fresh, he'll get some opportunities. Capable of running into a few outs, but also, has a tendency to be streaky at the plate and chase pitches out of the strike zone.
Expert's take: "You can't play your No. 1 guy 130 times a year anymore. You just can't do it, so Leon is a nice piece to have. He doesn't throw as well as (Vazquez), but you don't worry about his back there, either.''



Brock Holt
He survived a roster scare in the spring and has shown signs that he's back to being the hitter he was in '15. One of the most versatile players in the game capable of playing seven different positions, he may not be a standout at any one (second is his best position), but he won't hurt you anywhere in short stretches.
Expert's take: "Guys like Holt are invaluable today. When you're only carrying three or four guys on the bench and trying to give your regulars some rest, it's great to have a guy like that.''

Blake Swihart
Swihart had a great spring at the plate and reminded everyone why the Red Sox liked him so much when they drafted him. Finally healthy, he demonstrated how athletic he is and how versatile. The trick will be finding him at-bats, but if he hits, they'll find a way to get him into the lineup.
Expert's take: "(Now that he's healthy he) looks like a completely different guy than when I saw him a year ago. I'll be interested to see how he fits in, but he's a nice weapon to have.''