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The Sun Shines Again at Fenway

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By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – Last season, they finished with four road games, a 2-2 split with the AL East champion Baltimore Orioles. At Fenway, the Red Sox lost their last four games of the season. They finished 78-84 and in last place in the Orioles’ division. It wasn’t pretty.

This year, a challenging 10-game road trip with four at Seattle, three at Oakland and three at the LA Angels of Anaheim put doubt in the minds of the Fenway faithful. Might they head home with a record 2-8 or 3-7 and be back in the basement?

No.

The Boston Red Sox play their home opener today boasting a 7-3 record, including a split at Seattle, a sweep at (lowly/sad) Oakland and a series-winning 2-games-to-1 edge over the Angels in the outfield. That’s good enough for second place in the early-season ladder, but 1.5 behind a New York Yankees team built for October.

It is ridiculous to expect this Red Sox team to stay at a .700 percent win rate. The pace would translate to 113.4 wins in the 162-game season. Of course, the schedule would need to place the Oakland A’s as the Sox opponent for three of every 10 games, and the Sox’ 50-24 (+26) run differential would be required to win at such a clip.

What’s a more reasonable expectation (prediction) for the 2024 Boston Red Sox?

Let’s concentrate on the whopping 35 games to measure the gap between a 78-win last place finish and an absurd 113-game season. If the Red Sox can go .500 in those 35 games, they’d finish the season with 95 wins.

Last season, the Toronto Blue Jays qualified for the last AL Wild card spot with 89 victories while the Tampa Bay Rays topped the Wild Card race with 99 wins. In the NL, Arizona’s 84 wins were enough to punch a ticket to the Wild Card and that berth led them to the 2023 World Series when they lost to the Texas Rangers in six games.

As Celtics’ great Kevin Garnett might predict, “If you can make it to the Wild Card, ‘ANYTHING is POSSIBLE.'”

What will it take for a team – more often than not – picked to finish in the AL East cellar to win some 90-plus games?

Pitching.

And, staying healthy.

On the pitching: Heading into the home opener, Boston leads the Majors with a 1.49 ERA (15 ER/90.1 IP), the club’s lowest mark through 10 games in the Live-Ball Era (since 1920). The Red Sox are the 11th team in the Live-Ball Era to post an ERA below 1.50 through their first 10 games, and the first since the star-studded 2005 Florida Marlins.

That’s pretty good.

On the injury front: Not so great. The Red Sox lost starting shortstop Trevor Story, their No. 3 hitter, to an injured shoulder. Diagnosed as a dislocated shoulder some 24 hours after the injury, which occurred when Story dove for a Mike Trout ground ball towards center field, the Boston-area medical staff has not determined the prognosis for the long term. While the Sox placed Story on the 10-game injured list, there’s a chance he’s out for the year, according to the Boston Globe.

Aside from the devastating news on Story, the Sox are also missing outfielder Rob Refsnyder (toe) and infielder and highly regarded prospect, Vaughn Grissom (hamstring/groin injury).

Injuries are a part of the game, but the 2024 MLB season seems to be taking that fact to a new high. Dozens of top-notch players – league wide – are already banged up, including All-Star/Cy Young award candidates like Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves or Cleveland Guardians ace Shane Bieber who will miss the entire 2024 season as he plans to undergo Tommy John surgery.

Those are the issues that make judging an entire season somewhat useless after only 10 games. But, let’s compare notes after the Red Sox open under a bright blue sky today and start a 10-game homestand. Might they be 14-6?

Or better?

Or worse?

 

 

 

O’ Neill Blasts Way to Record

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SEATTLE – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Boston’s Tyler O’Neill is unlikely to forget his debut in a Red Sox uniform. O’Neill set a major league record by homering for a fifth consecutive Opening Day as the Red Sox defeated the host Seattle Mariners 6-4 on Thursday.

The teams will continue their four-game series on tonight.

“I don’t know, it’s just something about the routine on Opening Day,” O’Neill said on the NESN postgame show. “You just want to kick-start the season.”

The moment was made more special because O’Neill is a native of Burnaby, British Columbia, and he estimated about 20 family members and friends made the three-hour drive south across the Canadian border for the game.

“We’ve got a lot of tickets this week,” O’Neill told the Boston Globe before the game. “So, yeah, I’m going to say a lot of ‘hellos.’

“It’s a good enough effort for them to get down here and I appreciate all the support and stuff. Having all my family here and some buddies who are from back home is always good.”

In 2013, O’Neill was drafted in the third round by the Mariners but never reached the majors with them. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in July 2017 for left-hander Marco Gonzales.

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He homered the previous four Opening Days for the Cardinals, matching the record set by Yogi Berra (1955-58) and equaled by Gary Carter (1977-80) and Todd Hundley (1994-97). O’Neill socked a solo shot for the Red Sox in the eighth inning on Thursday.

Boston’s Rafael Devers hit a two-run homer in the third to open the scoring.

“He was able to drive the ball to left-center, something that he wasn’t able to do last year,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of Devers. “That homer was impressive.”

Right-hander Brayan Bello, signed to a six-year, $55 million extension in the offseason after just 1 1/2 years in the majors, pitched five solid innings for the win.

“They got some hits with two outs, RBI hits, and those are huge. They’re difference-makers,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. “Not the way we wanted to start. We have a lot of games to go. We have a good team.”

Mitch Haniger and Dylan Moore hit two-run homers for the Mariners.

Haniger, a former All-Star who had career highs of 39 homers and 100 RBIs with the Mariners in 2021, returned to Seattle in an offseason trade with San Francisco after one injury-plagued season with the Giants.

“I’ve been doing a lot of work on mechanics this offseason,” Haniger said. “It’s good to be back in a Mariners uniform. Really glad they brought me back. It felt like home.”

Servais was impressed by Haniger’s opposite-field homer.

“I think just having him with our uniform on is going to springboard him,” Servais said. “I haven’t seen him hit one to right like that for a while. Normally he’s pull side.”

Friday’s game will feature a matchup of right-handers, Boston’s Nick Pivetta (10-9, 4.04 last year) and Seattle’s George Kirby (13-10, 3.35).

Pivetta is 1-1 with a 4.34 ERA in three career starts against the M’s. Kirby is 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in four starts vs. Boston.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox Open at Seattle

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SEATTLE – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – For two teams trying to get back to the postseason, the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners didn’t make any earth-shattering moves this offseason. Neither got more than a fleeting mention when it came to prized free agent Shohei Ohtani or trade candidate Juan Soto.

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Does either team have enough to compete in 2024?

That will be one of the top questions when they meet Thursday night in the season opener in Seattle.

The Mariners finished 88-74 last season, a game back of Toronto for the American League’s third and final wild-card berth.

Strikeout-prone sluggers Eugenio Suarez and Teoscar Hernandez are gone, via a trade and free agency, respectively. Suarez netted right-hander Carlos Vargas and backup catcher Seby Zavala from Arizona.

The Mariners sent injured left-hander Robbie Ray to San Francisco for outfielder Mitch Haniger and right-hander Anthony DeSclafani. Then they flipped DeSclafani, right-handed reliever Justin Topa and a pair of minor-leaguers to Minnesota for second baseman Jorge Polanco.

“This group is just hungry,” said Haniger, who spent one injury-prone season with the Giants following five productive years in Seattle.

“The guys in here want to win. Ultimately, being a loser is not fun. It’s really motivating just to try to get back into the playoffs and win a World Series — the No. 1 goal. It’s win the division first and get in the playoffs, and then make a run and win that last game of the season.”

The Mariners also sent right-handed reliever Isaiah Campbell to Boston for third baseman Luis Urias, and ditched the contracts of pitcher Marco Gonzales, first baseman Evan White and outfielder Jarred Kelenic to Atlanta for a pair of pitchers who won’t be available this season because of injuries.

Boston’s moves might have been even more underwhelming.

The Red Sox traded outfielder Alex Verdugo to the New York Yankees for three pitching prospects, acquired outfielder Tyler O’Neill from St. Louis, sent former ace left-hander Chris Sale to Atlanta for shortstop Marquis Grissom, and signed former All-Star closer Liam Hendriks, who is coming back from a cancer battle and Tommy John surgery.

Boston signed free agent right-hander Lucas Giolito to anchor its rotation, but he’ll miss the season with elbow surgery.

“It’s different compared to previous years,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of his youthful lineup. “This team is going to be fun to manage. We’re gonna do a lot of stuff that is probably different than in the past. We know what people think about us, but athleticism and youth helped (the Orioles) make it to the playoffs last year.

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“So hopefully we can accomplish that. We’re not shying away from our goals. We just have to keep going. It’s been fun. It’s refreshing. It’s good to see good athletes out there making plays and moving around and adjusting to everything that we’re throwing at them. And I think it’s been solid so far.”

Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo (14-9, 3.34 ERA last season) is scheduled to make his fourth Opening Day start and second with Seattle. Castillo is 1-1 with a 4.09 ERA in two previous starts against Boston.

The Red Sox will counter with right-hander Brayan Bello (12-11, 4.24), who will be making his first Opening Day start. Bello is 2-0 with a 4.09 ERA in two previous starts against Seattle.

–Field Level Media

Sox: Bello Reaps $55m Extension

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FORT MYERS – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Boston Red Sox right-handed starter, Brayan Bello, agreed to terms on a six-year, $55 million extension, multiple media outlets reported. Per The Boston Globe, the deal includes a $21 million club option for a seventh season.

The reported contract comes on the heels of Red Sox offseason acquisition Lucas Giolito’s potential season-ending injury. ESPN reported Tuesday that initial imaging revealed a partially torn UCL and flexor strain in his pitching elbow for Giolito.

Bello, who turns 25 in May, posted a 12-11 record with a 4.24 ERA in 28 games (all starts) last season. He struck out 132 batters in 157 innings but gave up 24 home runs.

That’s still an improvement from his first season with Boston in 2022. He was 2-8 with a 4.71 ERA in 13 games (11 starts).

“He’s an exciting, young starting pitcher that was acquired and developed internally. I think he embodies exactly what we’re trying to do,” chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said recently, per The Globe.

“We still think that his best years are ahead of him. We recognize some opportunities to further optimize the repertoire and we’re super excited about having him.”

–Field Level Media

Red Sox: Giolito Injured; Torn UCL

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito could miss the entire 2024 season after initial imaging revealed a partially torn UCL and flexor strain in his pitching elbow. If Giolito requires surgery as opposed to extensive rehab, he’s likely to miss up to 10 months.

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The news would be a potentially significant blow to the Red Sox, who signed the former Chicago White Sox ace to address their starting pitching depth. He signed a a two-year contract worth $38.5 million.

Giolito, 29, became a free agent after spending time with three clubs during 2023.

Giolito produced a cumulative 8-15 record with a 4.88 ERA in 33 total starts last season with the White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians. He allowed 41 home runs, the second-highest total in the majors, but struck out 204 batters over 184 1/3 innings.

Giolito was an All-Star in 2019 and received American League Cy Young Award votes in three straight seasons (2019-21). Across eight MLB seasons with the Washington Nationals (2016), White Sox (2017-23), Angels and Guardians, Giolito is 61-62 with a 4.43 ERA and 1,077 strikeouts over 1,013 2/3 innings of 180 appearances (178 starts).

While with the White Sox, Giolito tossed a no-hitter in 2020 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox Acquire C.J. Cron

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FORT MYERS – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Boston Red Sox signed veteran first baseman C.J. Cron on Sunday to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

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Cron began working with the team Sunday, and Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the right-handed hitter likely will make his spring training debut on March 11 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Cron, 34, was a free agent after playing last season for the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Angels. He was limited by back issues and batted a combined .248 with 12 home runs and 37 RBIs in 71 games.

A first-round selection (17th overall) by the Angels in the 2011 MLB Draft, Cron has played 10 seasons for the Angels (2014-17, 2023), Tampa Bay Rays (2018), Minnesota Twins (2019), Detroit Tigers (2020) and Rockies (2021-23).

Cron has batted .260 with a .320 on-base percentage, .471 slugging percentage to go along with 187 homers and 604 RBIs in 1,049 games. His best season as a power hitter was in 2022, when he was selected to the All-Star Game and posted 29 homers and a career-high 102 RBIs.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox Sign Liam Hendriks

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Boston Red Sox and All-Star closer Liam Hendriks have agreed to a two-year deal worth a guaranteed $10 million, multiple outlets reported Monday.

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The deal is pending a physical for the right-hander, who is coming off Tommy John surgery in August and is not expected to pitch much, if at all, in the 2024 season. If he does return, it would be well after the All-Star break, per the reports.

The deal is loaded with incentives, which could put the value at $20 million and includes a mutual option for 2026, per the reports.

Hendriks, 35, pitched just five games for the Chicago White Sox after returning last May from stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Hendriks went 2-0 with a 5.40 ERA across five innings. He also had one save before undergoing surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament.

Hendriks began the 2023 season on the IL. He completed lymphoma treatment on April 3 and announced he was cancer-free 17 days later. He was diagnosed in the fall of 2022.

Hendriks, a three-time All-Star, is 33-34 with a 3.82 ERA and 116 saves in 476 career appearances (44 starts) for five teams, including the Oakland A’s (2016-20) and White Sox (2021-23).

The Red Sox are expected to start the season with Kenley Jansen as their closer, though he has been the subject of trade rumors.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox Acquire Sandlin from KC

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Kansas City Royals acquired right-handed reliever John Schreiber from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league righty David Sandlin on Saturday.

Also, the Royals placed right-hander Kyle Wright on the 60-day injured list.

Schreiber, who turns 30 on March 5, posted a 2-1 record with one save and a 3.86 ERA in 46 games (two starts) last season with Boston. He struck out 53 batters in 46 2/3 innings.

Schreiber owns an 8-6 record with nine saves and a 3.58 ERA in 139 career games (two starts) with the Detroit Tigers (2019-20) and Red Sox (2021-23).

Sandlin, 22, went 4-2 with a 3.41 ERA in 15 games (all starts) split last season with the Class-A Columbia Fireflies and the High-A Quad Cities River Bandits. He had 90 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings.

Wright, who was acquired from the Atlanta Braves for fellow right-hander Jackson Kowar on Nov. 17, is recovering from surgery to repair a torn capsule in his throwing shoulder. He is expected to miss the 2024 season.

Because of injuries in the 2023 season, Wright appeared in just nine games (seven starts), posting a 1-3 record with a 6.97 ERA in 31 innings.

Wright, 28, led the majors in 2022 in wins when he posted a 21-5 record in 30 starts in his first full season. He had a 3.19 ERA and struck out 174 batters in 180 1/3 innings.

In 60 career games (51 starts) since 2018, Wright is 24-16 with a 4.45 ERA in 281 1/3 innings.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox: Former Skipper Williams, 80

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BOSTON – Longtime baseball man Jimy Williams, who won 910 games as a major league manager and was the 1999 American League Manager of the Year, has died at the age of 80. Two of the teams that Williams skippered, the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox, announced his passing. No cause of death or other details were reported.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of former Blue Jays manager Jimy Williams,” the Blue Jays said in a satement. “His impact on our organization will forever be remembered.”

Williams went 910-790 in 12 seasons managing the Blue Jays (1986-89), Red Sox (1997-2001) and Houston Astros (2002-04). He took the Red Sox to the postseason in 1998 and 1999, going 5-9. He was manager of the year for Boston in 1999.

“Jimy Williams was a true staple and leader of the Red Sox,” Boston said in a news release to media.

Williams won two World Series rings as a coach, in 1995 as third base coach of the Atlanta Braves and 2008 as bench coach of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Williams played in just 14 games as a middle infielder in 1966 and ’67 with the St. Louis Cardinals. He went 3-for-13 in his career, with his first hit coming off Hall of Famer Juan Marichal.

He joined the Blue Jays as a base coach in 1980 after managing in the minor leagues for six years.

–Field Level Media

Sox Dump Sale and Cash for Prospect

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Atlanta Braves acquired All-Star left-hander Chris Sale and cash considerations from the Boston Red Sox on Saturday in exchange for infield prospect Vaughn Grissom.

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Sale waived his no-trade clause to make the move to the National League for the first time, with the Red Sox set to send $17 million to the Braves in order to offset Sale’s 2024 salary.

A seven-time All-Star, Sale is owed $27.5 million in 2024, with a $20 million club option for 2025. If the 2025 option is exercised, $5 million of that is deferred until 2040.

Sale, 34, has dealt with injury issues in recent seasons, making 20 starts last season and 31 combined starts over the past three seasons. Sale did not pitch in 2020 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He had a stress fracture in his ribs in 2022 along with a finger fracture and a broken wrist while reportedly riding a bicycle.

Last season, Sale dealt with a stress fracture in his scapula, going 6-5 with a 4.30 ERA in his 20 starts with 125 strikeouts and 29 walks.

In 13 seasons with the Chicago White Sox (2010-16) and Red Sox, Sale is 120-80 with a 3.10 ERA, 2,189 strikeouts and 416 walks. He was an All-Star in seven consecutive seasons starting in 2012 and finished as high as second in American League Cy Young Award voting in 2017, and third in 2014. He has seven top-six finishes in Cy Young voting.

Sale’s 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings is the best in baseball history.

In five appearances (three starts) during Boston’s World Series-title run in 2018, Sale went 1-0 with a 4.11 ERA. He gave up three runs in four innings of a Game 1 World Series start against the Los Angeles Dodgers then pitched a scoreless final inning of the deciding Game 5 to give the Red Sox the title.

Grissom, 22, made his major league debut with the Braves in 2022 and has a .287 batting average with five home runs in 27 RBIs in 64 games with Atlanta over the past two seasons. Grissom, who was born in Orlando, was an 11th-round draft pick by the Braves in 2019.

–Field Level Media