The current view of the 2025 season by one Red Sox fan!

I have more questions than answers!

(IMAGN)

Two weeks ago today the season started with enthusiasm and promise that is part of baseball every spring. Now, with the benefit of looking at the game play over the same period, I have some observations and a list of issues that this team must deal with in the next few weeks. Let’s look at the issues that confront our favorite baseball team.

First, the offense. There is a definite lack of consistency. To say it has been a rollercoaster ride is an understatement. From a punishing 35 run attack in a three games series with the Cardinals, to the feeble ability to score four runs in the first three games with the Blue Jays. Gone are the worries about Raffy’s bat and they have been replaced with new worries about an overly patient, and increasingly ineffective plate appearances by Tristan Casas and a team that has already struck out 126 times in the first 13 games.

In 2024, this team struck out 1570 times in 162 games an average of 9.61 times per game. The current rate this season is slightly above that at 9.62 times per game. The good news is that Ceddanne Rafaela has cut down on his strike outs, but this team needs to make more and consistent contact. With respect to Casas, in many ways he is replicating his overly patient efforts at the plate, in an alarming way that characterized the early part of his 2023 rookie season. It has been noted on the broadcasts that Cora has implored Casas to be more aggressive at the plate. As a fan it has been aggravating to watch him take too many close pitches and not swing the bat at the first or second pitch of the at bat when the likelihood of seeing a decent fastball is better. He needs to adjust his approach at the plate now, if not, he needs to be moved further down in the order.

Next, let’s talk about the starting pitching staff. Tanner Houck looked more like the player we saw in 2024 last night and that was a very welcome sign. Crochet has pitched well overall, but there is room for some improvement. Richard Fitts has been somewhat average so far; the real issue lies with Sean Newcomb and Walker Buehler. Both pitchers have been ineffective and particularly Buehler needs to be more consistent and be the pitcher the Sox thought they were getting when he signed in the offseason. Hunter Dobbins was a bright spot when called on to pitch the second game of the doubleheader on Sunday. With Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello on rehab assignments in Worcester, there is the hope that there will be a lift when they come back. It may also allow Newcomb and Buehler to figure it out with a trip to the IL with either “shoulder” or “elbow” discomfort.

The bullpen has been reasonably effective. Cooper Criswell was sent to Worcester after three appearances that were less than desirable. The Robert Stock experiment lasted one game before he was DFA’d. Now, Josh Winckowski gets the opportunity to resurrect his career as a multi-inning reliever. While Hendriks works in Worcester on his rehab assignment, there really aren’t a whole lot of options beyond Luis Guerrero available to fortify the bullpen in the short term.

Let’s look at the moves that have happened or could happen to make this team more successful and consistent both offensively and defensively. In a surprise move, Breslow sent Quinn Priester to the Brewers for a promising young High A outfielder, a move that shows the depth in pitching that allows the team to take a flyer on talent in another area. There are other possibilities that could be exercised in the few weeks that would strengthen the team and could even surprise fans with the level of boldness.

The obvious question on most fans’ minds is when are Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony joining the big club? Both players are currently not dominating at AAA Worcester, but it is reasonable to expect that this dynamic will change somewhat sooner than later. The real issue with this is the corresponding move required on the 40-man roster as neither player occupies a spot. Roster construction and reconstruction is more art than science and any decisions regarding these two young prospects will have ramifications. I predict one or both players will be in Boston by the end of May. It also may require that the team make some hard decisions on players like Refsynder, Hamilton, Rafaela, Yoshida, Grissom, Gonzalez, Story and Wong.

In my opinion the team needs an upgrade at catcher. Narvaez right now in his career is a backup catcher and over time, more is less. Some potential targets could be Sean Murphy from the Braves or Henry Ford, a top prospect in the Mariners system. Either of these options would involve taking on contract money or the inclusion of significant prospect capital. Other potential targets are Willson Contreras, William Contreras and Christian Vazquez. Either of the Contreras brothers would cost you something of value, as far as a return engagement for Christian Vazquez is concerned, I don’t see the team bringing him back, despite the comfort that Cora may have with him being on the roster.

At this point, I believe the Red Sox front office is trying to set the stage for a major move that will occur sometime between May 1st and the trade deadline. I have nothing to base it on other than the gut feeling of a lifelong baseball fan. In my opinion, the team is still in search of a top front-line pitcher, another power option for the lineup, and the never-ending search for quality relief pitching options. In the meantime, I keep waiting and watching for consistency in the offense and rotation. It keeps me occupied with enough topics to write and talk about. It’s why I love baseball!