Considering the Sox 2013 Spring Training

New Sox pitcher Ryan Dempter (AP)

By all accounts, most Red Sox fans are supposed to be depressed, disappointed by the free agent signings this winter.

Count me as one of the minority. I did not want them do what they had in the past, and the Punto trade freed them from: long term deals. That deal gave them 2 young pitchers for the future. They have a few prospects, particularly in the outfield that are going to be ready soon. Locking up Hamilton and another outfielder just didn’t make sense to me.

One thing I noticed is that they addressed one of the issues that plagued them last season. They signed players who have a solid approach at the plate, work the count and get walks (here is a great article about plate approach). This slipped away from them last season. It allows them to wear down pitchers, allow other guys to get a good look at a pitcher’s stuff increase the odds of getting a pitch you can drive. The guys they signed also have swings suited for the confines of Fenway Park. Last year, their offense didn’t dominate at home. They seem to have fixed that too.

Napoli, despite his hip condition, has hit the ball well. Yes, it is only Spring Training (just insert this often). And he has defended well. This is a good sign. Defense matters too! While I don’t expect him to win a gold glove, it looks like he’ll at least be adequate.

The same can’t really be said for Johnny Gomes in left field. It gets ugly out there. Hopefully his offense will make up for it. He seems a better candidate to fill in at DH when Big Papi is on the DL, which will happen to start the season but hopefully won’t start a trend. Gomes can hit. But he was also part of transforming the club house. Victorino will play solid defense in right (or center if Ellsbury gets hurt, again). But how he’ll hit is still a mystery. They want loose guys and these guys seem to fit that bill. The 2004 Sox had Millar, Damon and Pedro to take the pressure off when the team was struggling. That is what was missing in September 2011. And last year.

Drew hasn’t done much thanks to a concussion. There is just something about Drews and Boston. But thankfully Iglesias’ visit to Pedroia this winter paid off in a better approach at the plate. His swing is much better and he’s making more contact and better contact (6 extra base hits so far (3/16)). This may give them the opportunity to trade Drew to the Cards now that Furcal is hurt. Time will tell.

Jackie Bradley Jr. has just been amazing. Yes, it’s only Spring Training. But this is just more data that already points to his eventual success as the Red Sox centerfielder in 2014. He may come up sooner. He is one of the guys you didn’t want to hold up by signing long term free agents. Sadly, another, Brentz, wasn’t able to show up for Spring Training due to a bullet wound. But he’s now there and in minor league camp as though nothing happened.

While Middlebrooks had a minor scare with his repaired wrist, he seems to be just fine. He’s getting some solid swings and showing power. The real fear is about Ortiz and his tendons. He is the heart of the order, and they will struggle against the better teams if he’s not in the line up.

The Unpredictable Jacoby (USA Today Photo)

Ellsbury is a big mystery. He has had a quiet spring. Yes, it’s only Spring Training. It is nearly a given he’s gone either at the trade deadline or in the off season. There is so much potential there. And Boras will try to get a deal worthy of that potential. Will there be any suitors? Hard to say. Never thought the Angels and Dodgers would spend like U.S. Congressmen or drunken sailors (take your pick). It is possible the Sox re-sign him, but doubtful.

What has been most encouraging is the pitching. To win in the major leagues, you need pitching. That was what sunk them in September 2011 and in 2012. Lester seems to have corrected the mechanical issues that plagued him. Now, if he can be aggressive and stop pouting when he doesn’t get the calls. He should return to being on the best lefties in baseball.

Buchholz has been dominating. He had a slight hammy tweak, and is a little behind in his pitch count. But he should be fine since this is a longer spring due to the WBC. He has been pitching quicker, and that seems to help his approach. It all starts with these two guys.

One of the things that has helped them is the return of John Farrell. This helps EVERYONE. His is straight forward, and doesn’t seem to stir the pot. Valentine continually stirred the pot, and created problems. What happens in the clubhouse stays in the clubhouse. Last year it didn’t.

Additionally, he knows some of these pitchers and was able to point them in the right direction to resolve their mechanical issues. But new pitching coach Nieves seems to have really helped as well (here is an interesting interview with him). His work with Webster has really helped. The weakness with Webster was his control. He had a great sinker. They made a few changes to his set up and delivery and he’s been dominating. Yes, it…  He should provide something they didn’t have last year, a reliable spot starter when someone inevitably gets hurt. That could be Lackey and his reconstructed elbow or Doubront who didn’t learn from 2011 and showed up out of shape again. He’s just about ready for prime time.

Ruby De la Rosa still needs some work. He still needs to build up arm strength. When he’s not overthrowing, he has done well. But don’t expect to see too much of him in 2013. 2014 is another story as he and Webster provide lots of hope for the rotation.

The bull pen is the big question mark. It all looked good, and they looked overstuffed. But injuries happen. Morales and Breslow will be on the DL to start the season. Bard is returning to the pitcher he was before the “starting pitcher” debacle. He isn’t there yet as his velocity is only up to about 97. Yeah, only. Still some minor command issues, but he is moving in the right direction. Due to the injuries he may start the season in Boston and not Pawtucket. That leaves Alfred “Satan in his eyes” Aceves. He’s trouble waiting to happen. I’m surprised they held on to him. They might not hold on to him for long. This interview displays some of his weirdness.

Update: Aceves strikes again: hitting a Rays player after he’d hit a HR earlier. It’s Spring Training! I think he has to go! The Rangers have been scouting him. Clay Mortensen, who is out of options but gets guys out w/out drama, can play the long relief role. With the 5 guys in the rotation, Hanrahan, Tazawa, Mortensen, Miller, Uehara, Bailey, and Bard make 12. I’m not sure what will happen when Breslow and Franklin “Bulging Disk” Morales are healthy. But we aren’t sure when that will be. Bard still has options, and so should Tazawa.

With Butler and Vazquez showing themselves as great catching prospects, and no real first base prospects, Lavernway should be moved to first base a la Napoli. But he seems to have lost his hitting stroke. So I’m not sure what the future holds for this once exciting prospect. Catching just doesn’t seem to be in store for him. He calls a decent game but couldn’t throw me out (that is hyperbole since I’m old and slow now). A tandem of Butler and Vazquez could be potent. Christian, having a cannon of an arm, could be the late defensive replacement and cover Butler’s off day. He won’t be a full-time catcher unless he starts hitting better. Butler has enough of a blend of offense and defense to play full-time.