How can it be over before it begins? That is the question floating around Red Sox nation today – from Fort Myers to Boston, and all places in-between.
As has been reported here at Forbes.com, Lucas Giolito – he of the 2 year/$38.5 million agreement – has, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, a partially torn UCL and flexor strain, which could cause him to miss the entirety of the 2024 season. More details to come. The silver lining: it is highly unlikely that Giolito will exercise his opt-out if he doesn’t pitch for the BoSox this season.
The Giolito injury news comes hot on the heels of the report that Vaughn Grissom, the prime piece of the club’s trade with the Atlanta Braves for Chris Sale, will miss Opening Day with a groin strain. So much for filling that second base hole.
The Grissom news follows the Red Sox acquisition of Liam Hendriks, who the team knew would not pitch until after the All-Star break, as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
Last week, the Red Sox signed C.J. Cron to a minor league deal, hoping he might provide some infield depth. He played 71 games last season between the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Angels, but was felled by back issues most of the year.
Back in December, the Red Sox sought to bolster the catching position by adding veteran Roberto Perez. The 35-year-old backstop has a career .207 batting average, with a .655 OPS, which is not an upgrade over first-stringer Connor Wong, who sports a career average of .231, with a career OPS of .670.
When Boston shipped Alex Verdugo off to New York, they received three pitchers in return: Greg Weissert, Richard Fitts, and Nicholas Judice. Weissert is *potentially* big league ready, as he made 17 appearances over five different stints with the Yankees last year, striking out 22 batters and walking eight over 20 innings. Not exactly Gerrit Cole.
Fitts has never pitched above Double-A, so he still needs some seasoning before the Red Sox can even think to rely on him at Fenway Park.
And Judice was an eighth round pick out of Louisiana Monroe last season, and has yet to make his minor league debut.
According to Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald, the Red Sox acquired right-handed pitcher Justin Slaten from the New York Mets after the Mets had acquired Slaten in the Rule 5 Draft from the Texas Rangers. As such, Slaten must remain on Boston’s 26-man roster for the entire season, or else be offered back to the Rangers. Slaten has never pitched a big league inning.
Justin Slaten and Richard Fitts may be the future of the Boston Red Sox, but they are not ready to … [+]
The Red Sox did re-sign Nick Pivetta to a 1/$7.5 million deal on the hope and prayer that he can provide some quality innings; and they acquired Tyler O’Neill from the Cardinals on the hope and prayer that the number of home runs he hits exceeds the number of days he spends on the IL.
And then there is Joely Rodriguez. The Red Sox declined Rodriguez’s $4.25 million option at the end of last season, allowing him to test the market. So many teams bit that Rodriguez came back to Boston on a minor league deal with an invitation to big league camp. Last year he went on the IL three separate times, but claims he feels healthy and ready to go this year. Rodriguez hasn’t thrown in a Spring Training game yet, but he did throw live batting practice earlier this week, less than a month before Opening Day. The idea that he could be a difference maker on this teams isn’t promising.
As has been suggested here at Forbes.com, the Red Sox still could sign Michael Lorenzen and/or Jordan Montgomery and salvage what has been a catastrophic winter, which is quickly turning into a devastating spring, which by all signs may lead to a shame-inducing summer, following which there will be no fall.
There is still time for Jordan Montgomery to take his position as the ace of the Red Sox. (Photo by … [+]
It’s always darkest before the dawn.
