If Red Sox manager John Farrell were to pencil in his opening day lineup as it stands this is the way it would look. Leading off right fielder Shane victorino/if healthy batting second second baseman Dustin Pedroia.Pedroia is coming off season ending wrist surgery. Third Pablo Sandoval,fourth DH David Ortiz, fifth leftfielder Hanley Ramierez, sixth center fielder Rusney Castillo. Seventh Mike Napoli first base eighth Xander Bogarts and ninth Christian Vazquez catcher.
Starting pitcher? This is anyone’s guess. As it stands now Christmas day its ace by committee. The Sox have a bunch of number three starters in Rick Porcello,Justin Masterson, Clay Bucholz, Wade Miley and right hander Joe Kelly. Masterson is best suited for the bullpen. Free agent Andrew Miller signed with the Yankees. Granted on paper the Sox are better. The left side of the infield will be much improved with the signing of Sandoval. The question is can Ramierez stay healthy? Can Pedroia bounce back from wrist surgery and regain his form. Can Victorino return to his 2013 form? Questions rather than proven facts seem to be the issue going into 2015.
Until Lester is replace by someone just as good or better the hopes of any playoff run are a long ways off. In order for the Sox to be serious contenders General Manager Ben Cherrington needs to be aggressive until spring training. Until then Red Sox fans will be relying on hope rather than satisfaction.