In the vibrant atmosphere of Fort Myers, Florida, excitement is building as Garrett Whitlock steps out of the Red Sox clubhouse. The first thing that catches his eye is a lively group of pitchers engaged in warm-up throws. "This year, we’ve got a remarkable lineup of arms," the right-handed pitcher remarked, noting the talent on display. It’s not just about having tall players; it’s about having formidable pitchers that could intimidate any opposing lineup.
Whitlock's perspective is significant, as he resides just a short drive away from Fenway South and has been training at the facility since last season concluded with a playoff exit against the Yankees. His keen observations come as the Red Sox have enhanced their starting rotation by bringing in accomplished pitchers like Sonny Gray, Johan Oviedo, and Ranger Suárez, all set to join Garrett Crochet, who notably finished second in the American League Cy Young Award voting.
The team is also counting on Kutter Crawford, who had a decent season with a 4.36 earned run average across 33 starts and 182⅔ innings in 2024 but faced setbacks last year due to knee and wrist injuries. Since mid-January, Crawford has been actively working out at Fenway South and completed another bullpen session just this Tuesday. His pitching coach, Andrew Bailey, is optimistic about his potential to secure a place in the starting rotation.
"I feel fantastic," Crawford declared on Tuesday. "I’m eager to get out there and give it my all. There are no reservations on my part."
This season marks a significant shift for the Red Sox, as nine of the fifteen starters from last year are no longer part of the organization. Notably, Walker Buehler and Lucas Giolito, who collectively made 48 starts, remain unsigned as free agents, while others have been traded away.
Whitlock observed that more major league players than usual are present at Fenway South this early in the year. Almost half of the 40-man roster was seen practicing on the field Tuesday, and live batting practice sessions are slated for Friday. While players may also train independently or at private facilities, the sheer number of athletes participating in team activities before the official workouts for pitchers and catchers commence next Tuesday is noteworthy.
To enhance the training environment, Bailey brought along a large Bluetooth speaker to provide some background music during the workout, accompanied by bullpen coach Chris Holt and catching coach Parker Guinn.
Carlos Narváez expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "It’s thrilling to see so many players on the field. As a catcher, I’m especially keen to get acquainted with the newcomers. Looking at our rotation, it looks promising for our team."
Brayan Bello has arrived early to prepare for the World Baseball Classic, where he will be joining Sandy Alcantara, Cristopher Sánchez, and Luis Severino in the Dominican Republic's rotation, a clear indication of his rising status in the sport following a solid season with a 3.35 ERA.
Meanwhile, outfielders Wilyer Abreu and Kristian Campbell, along with infielders Marcelo Mayer and Romy Gonzalez, were also present. Campbell spent much of the morning on a back field honing his outfield skills under the guidance of coach Kyle Hudson. Last season, Campbell primarily played second base, making eight starts in center field and one in left before being sent down to the minors in June, where he transitioned to more outfield play.
The fact that the Red Sox are preparing Campbell for an outfield position has led to speculation that Craig Breslow, the chief baseball officer, may be considering trading one of the outfielders to acquire an infielder and address a noticeable gap in the roster.
Mayer is versatile enough to play either second or third base, but he needs to prove he can stay healthy, as he has yet to exceed 91 games in five seasons as a professional player. Alternatives like Gonzalez and Nick Sogard exist, but manager Alex Cora has frequently emphasized the need to manage Gonzalez’s workload carefully, while Sogard appears more suited for a backup role.
It's worth noting that Alex Bregman wasn't signed until February 13 last season, giving the Red Sox ample time to finalize their roster strategy.
For now, the sight of players back on the field gearing up for the upcoming season is a positive and encouraging sign.
