The Red Sox's Pitching Reinforcements Impress Ahead of Spring Training
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Garrett Whitlock stepped out of the Red Sox clubhouse on Wednesday morning, his eyes drawn to a group of pitchers engaged in a spirited round of catch. The right-hander's reaction was one of awe.
"We've got a formidable lineup of arms this year," he remarked. "It's truly impressive."
Whitlock's words carry weight, especially given his proximity to the action. Living just a few minutes away from Fenway South, he's been a regular fixture at the facility since the season ended with a playoff loss to the Yankees. Whitlock has been closely observing the team's transformation, particularly the addition of Sonny Gray, Johan Oviedo, and Ranger Suárez to a starting rotation led by Garrett Crochet, who finished second in the American League Cy Young Award voting. The Sox also boast Kutter Crawford, who, despite a 4.36 earned run average over 33 starts and 182.2 innings in the 2024 season, missed the subsequent season due to knee and wrist injuries.
Crawford, who has been at Fenway South since mid-January, threw his latest bullpen session on Tuesday. Pitching coach Andrew Bailey anticipates Crawford's competition for a spot in the rotation. "I feel great," Crawford expressed on Tuesday. "Ready to go and get out there. I’m not holding back at all."
The Red Sox's pitching staff has undergone significant changes, with nine of the 15 starters from the previous season no longer part of the organization. Walker Buehler and Lucas Giolito, who combined for 48 starts, remain free agents. Others have been traded.
Whitlock noted the unusual sight of a large number of major leaguers at Fenway South for this time of year. Nearly half of the 40-man roster was on the field on Tuesday, and live batting practice sessions are scheduled for Friday. While players may be working individually or at private facilities, the presence of so many players in camp is notable, especially with the first official workout for pitchers and catchers not until next Tuesday.
Adding to the intrigue, the Sox are preparing Kristian Campbell as an outfielder, fueling speculation that chief baseball officer Craig Breslow might trade one of the outfielders for an infielder to address an obvious roster hole. Marcelo Mayer, Romy Gonzalez, and Nick Sogard are also in the mix, but manager Alex Cora emphasizes the need to be cautious with Gonzalez and Sogard, who are more of a backup option.
The Red Sox's off-season moves and player dynamics have created a sense of anticipation and intrigue as the team prepares for the season ahead.
