Team report: Red Sox rotation loaded with the addition of Chris Sale

MLB team report: Boston Red Sox

About this series: Sports Weekly takes an in-depth look at each major league organization during the offseason, from the major leagues to the farm system. We start with teams with the worst records and move up.

By adding Chris Sale to a rotation that includes Cy Young Award winners Rick Porcello and David Price, the Red Sox might have won the offseason. They have a solid mix of veterans and youth. But they did not directly address the prodigious void left by David Ortiz’s retirement. USA TODAY Sports special correspondent Maureen Mullen sizes up the team.

(*Denotes prospect)

Catcher

Sandy Leon surprised nearly everyone with his performance last season, hitting .310, with seven home runs, in 78 games — all career highs — throwing out 41% of would-be basestealers. He will be the starter heading into the season. Christian Vazquez, who is out of options, should be fully recovered from the Tommy John elbow surgery that wiped out his 2015 season. He struggled last season, splitting his time between the big-league team and Class AAA. Blake Swihart, who was injured when he crashed into an outfield wall in June, will be a catcher going forward. Jordan Procyshen, a 14th-round pick in 2014, will be in big-league camp for the first time this spring. Depth chart: Leon, Vazquez, Swihart, Dan Butler, * Procyshen

First base

First base will be tied to the DH spot, with left-handed-hitting Mitch Moreland, who joined the team as a free agent, starting against right-handers with Hanley Ramirez DHing. Moreland hit 22home runs, one shy of his career high, in 147 games last season. Against lefties, Ramirez likely will be at first, with several players rotating as the DH. Sam Travis, a highly regarded prospect who opened many eyes last spring but missed all but 47 games at Class AAA with a knee injury, will be back in big-league camp. Depth chart: Moreland, Ramirez, *Travis

Second base

Dustin Pedroia, the heart and soul of the team, had one of his best offensive seasons in years. His .825 on-base-plus-slugging percentage (OPS) was the highest since his .861 in 2011, while his .318 average was the highest since .326 in his 2008 MVP season. He was also a Gold Glove finalist. Versatile Brock Holt will be among the backups with Marco Hernandez, who could be a super-utility player. Depth chart: Pedroia, Holt, *Hernandez, *Deven Marrero, Josh Rutledge

Third base

Pablo Sandoval has been a bust in his first two seasons in Boston, hitting a combined .242 with a .651 OPS. After losing the starting job in spring training, he missed all but three games last season because of a shoulder injury. Entering the third year of a five-year, $95 million deal, he is expected to be healthy entering spring training. The job again will be his to lose. Travis Shaw, who beat Sandoval out of the job last spring, was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for setup man Tyler Thornburg in December. Rafael Devers, one of the organization’s top prospects, will be in big-league camp. Depth chart: Sandoval, Holt, *Hernandez, *Marrero, Rutledge, *Devers

Shortstop

At 24, Xander Bogaerts is one of the best young shortstops in the game. Last season he earned his first All-Star nod and second consecutive Silver Slugger Award. He started 157 games but appeared to fatigue late in the year. Depth chart: Bogaerts, Holt, Rutledge, *Hernandez, *Marrero

Left field

Andrew Benintendi made the jump from Class AA to the majors last season nearly flawlessly, appearing in 34 games, batting .295, appearing unfazed by Fenway Park’s intimidating left field and scaling the corner wall at Tropicana Field to make a catch that likely will stay on his highlight reel for quite a while. Chris Young will be the primary backup. Depth chart: *Benintendi, Young, Holt, Bryce Brentz

Center field

One of the best defensive players in the game, Jackie Bradley Jr. showed off his power last season. A streaky hitter who can pile up strikeouts, he has struggled to find consistency since making his debut in 2013. But his defense will always keep Bradley, a first-time All-Star last season, in the lineup. Depth chart: Bradley, Mookie Betts, *Benintendi, Young, Holt

Right field

Finishing second in AL MVP voting in his second full season, Betts has established himself as one of the game’s best and most exciting young players. He was the first Red Sox batter with 200 hits in a season before turning 24 since Johnny Pesky in 1942, the first to reach 100 runs and 30home runs since Ted Williams in 1942, while demonstrating his athleticism in the field. Depth chart: Betts, Young, Holt, Brentz

Designated hitter

It might be impossible to replace David Ortiz. But the Red Sox will look to Ramirez, Sandoval and Moreland. Against right-handed starters, Moreland, who hits left-handed, would be at first base, with Ramirez as the DH. Against left-handed starters, Ramirez likely would go to first and several players rotate at DH. Depth chart: Ramirez, Moreland, Sandoval, Young, *Travis

Starting pitchers

After acquiring left-hander Sale in a December trade with the Chicago White Sox, the Red Sox will open the season with three legitimate Cy Young Award candidates, along with 2016 winner Porcello and 2012 winner Price. Knuckleballer Steven Wright and Eduardo Rodriguez and Drew Pomeranz are expected to compete for the remaining two spots. The odd man out could go to the bullpen. Rodriguez injured a knee in winter ball. Teddy Stankiewicz, a second-round pick in 2013, could move up to Class AAA this season and be available to help. Depth chart: RHP Porcello, LHP Price, LHP Sale, LHP Rodriguez, RHP Wright, LHP Pomeranz, LHP Henry Owens, LHP Roenis Elias, *LHP Brian Johnson, RHP Kyle Kendrick, *RHP Stankiewicz

Bullpen

Closer Craig Kimbrel, who had an uneven first season in Boston and in the American League, returns. Can Thornburg, the setup man, repeat his National League success (2.15 ERA, 90 strikeouts, 25 walks in 67 innings last season)? Matt Barnes had a strong showing in his first full season in the bullpen. Heath Hembree could be the lefty specialist. LHP Robbie Ross Jr., who is versatile and durable, could be the seventh-inning guy. Joe Kelly has struggled to settle into a role since being acquired at the 2014 trade deadline. Carson Smith, expected back from Tommy John elbow surgery around the All-Star break, could be a key to the bullpen’s success. Fernando Abad was left off the playoff roster. Elias and Robby Scott have options left. Depth chart: RHP Kimbrel, RHP Thornburg, RHP Barnes, RHP Kelly, LHP Ross, LHP Abad, LHP Scott, RHP Heath Hembree, RHP Noe Ramirez, RHP Smith, RHP Kendrick, LHP Elias, *RHP Kyle Martin

Offseason outlook

The Red Sox made a huge splash with the acquisition of left-hander Chris Sale and added complementary pieces, such as reliever Tyler Thornburg and first baseman Mitch Moreland, which should help. Did they do enough for a pennant?

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/02/06/team-report-red-sox-rotation-loaded-addition-chris-sale/97577206/