18 Days Til Pitchers and Catchers Report

Wevre made it to February, and instead of counting down months to Spring Training, we’re now to the point that it’s days. The Red Sox’s reporting date for Pitchers and Catchers is February 19th, reporting date for all players is February 24th. The first Spring Training game, against Boston College, is March 3rd. The new season is almost upon us.

Whenever February comes, I always feel a burst of happiness to know that soon, baseball games will be on again. Winter is such a bland season. Yes, I’m psyched about the Patriots making it to the Super Bowl, I’ll watch the Bruins games if they happen to be on TV (which isn’t very often, even with the new NBCSports channel and NHL channels), and I might watch a Celtics game if I’m bored (sorry, can’t get into the NBA this season), but baseball is much more interesting.

I am a little scared about the state of the Sox at the moment. There’s no definite shortstop, though Valentine has said that he doesn’t want to do a platoon. There’s no definite right-fielder, though I’m almost positive Cody Ross will see more playing time at that position than Ryan Sweeney (a fellow Iowan, by the way). There are no definite 4th and 5th starters. It has been said that Crawford won’t be ready from his wrist surgery on Opening Day. For once, I’m satisfied with the bullpen (which hasn’t happened in a few years). Am I worried? In a word, yes.

After last year’s disastrous start (hate to bring it up again, but 2-10 isn’t good), I’d like to feel more confident this year heading into Spring Training. It’s not going to happen this year unless a miracle happens, like signing a starting pitcher and/or a shortstop. I understand what Cherington and the owners are trying to do, get the payroll under the Luxury Tax threshold, but I don’t know if they’re doing it the right way.

First, the whole Epstein compensation should have been done before the Sox agreed to let him leave for the Cubs. They should not be dealing with this three/ three and a half months later. Second, Scutaro should not have been traded unless they knew for sure that a starter would sign. If you need to create a hole to fill another, make sure you can do it and are not left with two holes! Third, should a trade have happened for the
outfield position? I’m not saying they shouldn’t have signed Ross; but we now have Ross, Sweeney, McDonald, and Kalish, once he’s healthy again, to play right. We also seem to have a surplus of catchers on the depth chart: Salty, Shoppach, Lavarnway, and Exposito… and there’s always the option of bring Tek back.

I just find it a little odd that we have a surplus in some positions and holes in others. Either Cherington thinks that these holes will filled by guys in the minors or a trade is going to be made. Either way, the next two and a half weeks will be telling.