Originally Posted by
moonslav59
Here's how I see our roster and depth chart:
C: Vaz will probably start 4 out of 5 starts with Leon being Sale's personal caddie. It remains to be seen if Swihart can muscle his way into more catching time beyond late inning PH'er-type role. Butler provides pretty good ML ready depth in AAA.
1B: Although this could be one of this season's weakest comparative position by WAR or OPS, we have decent depth. HRam will likely start vs all LH'd SP'ers as MiMo hits lefties very poorly. HRam and MiMo might split time vs RH'd starters. Swihart may muscle his way to some playing time here. HRam's vesting option at 497 PAs will likely be hotly debated all season long. Sam Travis has had a very nice Spring and now looks to be a more-than-capable back-up stashed in AAA, With 4 1Bmen to choose from, maybe we'll get a surprise from one or two of them.
2B: Pedey is the man, but Nunez will start the season at 2nd and might see significant time there, even after Pedey returns. Marco Hernandez (DL), Holt, Lin and Quiroz offer decent depth.
3B: Devers looks like he will get over 600 PAs this year. Nunez might play some, perhaps while Devers "rests" as our DH. Holt, Lin and maybe even Swihart could fill in, if we need them here.
SS: Bogaerts should play every game, except when resting. My guess is, we'll use the poor-fielding SS, Nunez, as our first choice at SS, but Holt and Lin can fill in pretty well.
LF: Beni should get all of the starts, except when JD plays LF in Fenway. Beni may play RF or CF, when other OF'ers are rested or given the day off. Nunez, Holt, Swihart and even Moreland can play LF, when needed.
CF: JBJ should play FT CF, except when JD plays the OF. Beni or Betts are the depth here.
RF: Betts should get over 700 PAs, especially if he hits 1st or 2nd everyday. JD may play some RF at NL parks and maybe a few AL parks as well, butBetts will move to CF at JBJ's expense.
DH: JD Martinez should play here as much as possible, so we can maximize his PAs and minimize a chance for injury. HRam, Nunez/Pedey, Swihart/Travis or Devers could see time at DH this year.
SP1: Sale
SP2: Price
SP3: Pomeranz (DL)
SP4: ERod (when off the DL)
SP5: Porcello
SP6: Wright (suspended)
SP7: Johnson
SP8: Velazquez
SP9: Elias/Beeks/Haley
Closer: Kimbrel (back-up: Smith/Thornburg)
RP2: Smith
RP3: Thornburg (DL)
RP4: Kelly
RP5: Barnes
RP6: Hembree (no options)
RP7: Workman
RP8: Poyner
RP9: Maddox
RP10: Scott
RP11: Wright/Johnson/Elias/Velazquez/Buttrey/Martin/Layne/Jerez...
All-in-all, I like our depth just about everywhere.