Five storylines to follow as Red Sox spring training begins
After a long and cold winter, baseball season is finally here. The Red Sox are gearing up for a new season, with pitchers and catchers reporting to Fort Myers on Tuesday. The team is coming off their first playoff berth since 2021, and they're ready to take the next step towards championship contention. But as we've seen in recent years, the coming weeks and months will be full of surprises and twists.
Here are five key storylines to watch as the Red Sox kick off their spring training:
Who will step up during the WBC absences?
With 12 players participating in the World Baseball Classic, there's a lot of playing time up for grabs. This is especially true in the outfield and starting rotation. Who will take advantage of this opportunity? Among the outfielders, only Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, Romy Gonzalez, and Nick Sogard are expected to spend the entire spring training with the Red Sox. Campbell and Sogard had limited playing time last season, and Gonzalez hasn't played outfield since 2024. Anthony's spot on the Opening Day roster is secure, but Campbell could make a strong case for more playing time, and fans can expect him to get plenty of at-bats in the Grapefruit League.Will any starters move to the bullpen?
The Red Sox have a unique pitching situation with 21 pitchers on their 40-man roster, including Tanner Houck, who will miss the entire season due to Tommy John surgery. Of these, 13 are starting pitchers, and only eight are traditional relievers. This imbalance needs to be addressed. Non-roster invitees will provide bullpen depth, but the team will eventually need to add players to the 40-man roster. One option is to move some younger starters to the bullpen, especially if they are buried in the depth chart. Players like Kyle Harrison, Shane Drohan, Tyler Uberstine, and Jake Bennett could get a chance to boost the bullpen.How will Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval perform?
Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval are two key players to watch. Both missed the entire 2025 season due to injuries but are expected to compete for rotation spots this spring. Crawford had a solid 2024 season, making 33 starts with a 4.36 ERA in 183 2/3 innings. Sandoval had a 3.50 ERA in 293 1/3 innings in 2022-23. The question is, can they regain their previous form? If they are beaten out by other pitchers like Johan Oviedo or Connelly Early, will they move to the bullpen or be traded? These are intriguing questions as the spring training progresses.Will Triston Casas take the field?
Triston Casas, a 26-year-old slugger, is working his way back from a knee injury that sidelined him most of last season. He aims to play in some Grapefruit League games, which would be an impressive comeback less than a year after his injury. However, with the arrival of Willson Contreras and a crowded designated hitter position, Casas' path to playing time is uncertain. If he returns to full health, he has the potential to be the best power hitter on the team, and the Red Sox will need to find a spot for him in the lineup.How will the infield lineup shake out?
The Red Sox infield is a topic of interest, with potential trades and roster moves on the table. Marcelo Mayer and Campbell will play crucial roles, but Campbell faces a challenge due to the crowded outfield. Mayer is a strong contender for either second or third base. The spring training will reveal their roles and how the team manages the crowded positions. Players like Gonzalez and Isiah Kiner-Falefa will also compete for spots on the bench or starting roles, adding more intrigue to the infield dynamics.
