Spring Training Report #2 (3/30/15)

Christian Vazquez has been placed on the 60 day disabled list due to a "right elbow sprain"........oh s**t.

Not what the Sox needed. Vazquez wasn't going to be the second coming of Yadier Molina but he had a cannon arm that apparently has given out. Right now they're saying its just a sprain, but if there's a tear in his UCl, that means Tommy John surgery and adios muchachos. Now they can't possibly trade top catching prospect Blake Swihart now. Right?

Wrong! Apparently rather than promote Swihart to the big boys to take Christian's place, they named backup Ryan Hanigan the opening day starter and gave an autographed picture of John Henry to the Washington Nationals in exchange for another light hitting catcher, Sandy Leon. Even though Leon's strength is defense, he doesn't have the rocket arm. While that may not mean much, speedsters around the league would have to think twice with Vazquez behind the plate. Now they have carte blanche to steal at will. John Dillinger would be licking his lips right about now.

Does this mean the Sox are doomed? Not at all. Maybe Vazquez will be back in the future and maybe they DON'T deal Swihart and he turns out to be the real deal. Another overlooked aspect about Swihart is he has two minor league rings to his credit, one for leading the Salem Red Sox to the Mills Cup in 2013 and the other for helping Pawtucket to win the Governor's Cup last year. Not that minor league rings make much difference, but it does show an ability to hit in the clutch in pressure situations, no matter what level.

Besides, the Sox still have more headaches to worry about. Koji Uehara will start the season on the disabled list with his hamstring still bothering him, and the rotation is as bad as feared. Henry Owens is getting knocked around and so is Justin Masterson and Wade Miley. The Sox went into the season with a lineup and bench that's as good as anyone in the American League, but their pitching staff is one giant question mark. The good news is the Sox have until the trade deadline to get it right. Barring any other injuries, the lineup will keep them in games. Whether or not they'll make the moves at the deadline, or someone like Owens, Brian Johnson or Eduardo Rodriguez comes up from the minors tossing bullets....that remains to be seen.  Still, if the Sox went into the post-season with David Ortiz and Pablo Sandoval with six world series rings between them, I'll take our chances.

It also looks like Shane Victorino will be the opening day starter in right over Mookie Betts. When healthy Victorino was a great table setter on the 2013 Red Sox and hit the grand slam to pretty much clinch the pennant. If he's healthy, he deserves to start. If he falters, the Sox have their ace in the hole Mookie Betts chomping at the bit....provided the Sox don't trade him for Cole Hamels.

That's been the big scuttlebutt all off-season, will the Sox trade for Cole Hamels? They're going to have to give up Owens, Swihart and possibly Betts to get that done and I say to heck with that. Don't morgatge your future for a guy who hasn't been really relevent in 7 years.

In other news, old friend Ivan DeJesus Jr will be starting the year in Cincinnati's minor league camp, most likely ending up in Louisville.

Right now the lineup looks like Rusney Castillo leading off in center, Victorino in right, Dustin Pedroia at second, David Ortiz at DH, Hanley Ramirez in left, Mike Napoli at first, Pablo Sandoval at third, Xander Bogaerts at short and Hanigan catching. The bench appears to be Betts, Leon, Allen Craig (unless traded) and 6th man Brock Holt. Clay Buchholz takes the ball opening day followed by Rick Porcello, Joe Kelly, Wade Miley and Justin Masterson. The bullpen battle is ongoing but with Uehara out, Edward Mujica will be the closer. Junichi Tazawa and Craig Breslow will be the holdovers joined by Robbie Ross. With Uehara out, Anthony Vavaro may not get cut after all. Matt Barnes is in the mix as well. We'll find out in a few days what the final roster will be when the team breaks camp.  Unfortunately, they'll break camp without their starting catcher and their closer, calling Dr. Pierce!