One Big Question
One Big Question: Is there a role for Ralph Garza Jr.?
Or is he just a placeholder on the 40-man until a spot is needed?
One Big Question: How will being away from Coors affect Trevor Story’s OBP?
And more specifically, the BABIP portion of that.
One Big Question: Can Jake Diekman keep the ball in the yard?
The lefty has incredible stuff, but last year was a worrisome outlier in one way.
One Big Question: Can Matt Strahm get his strikeouts to his pre-injury levels?
In small samples the last few years, he’s struggled to miss bats.
One Big Question: Can Connor Wong draw more walks?
It’s the simplest way to up his offensive profile.
One Big Question: Can Garrett Whitlock keep his performance up in a different role?
His role is likely to change this year, so will that change the performance?
One Big Question: Can Josh Winckowski up his strikeout rate?
He’s increased the velocity, and has a solid floor, but the ceiling can be raised with more whiffs.
One Big Question: Can Michael Wacha’s new pitch mix gain continued success in 2022?
He was a completely different pitcher in his final eight starts of ‘21.
One Big Question: Can Alex Verdugo get more balls in the air?
He’s not good enough in other areas to keep such low launch angles.
One Big Question: Can Christian Vázquez get the barrel on the ball?
Christian Vázquez’s offensive struggles last year boiled down to too much weak contact. He’ll need to address that shortcoming to be the hitter he was in 2019 and 2020.
One Big Question: Can Josh Taylor get his splits back in check?
He should be a big part of this bullpen, but there are still issues to fix.
One Big Question: Can Hirokazu Sawamura find a trustworthy second pitch?
The splitter is sick. He needs something else.
One Big Question: Can Chris Sale reclaim his status as one of the best pitchers in baseball?
Even when he’s not at the absolute top of his game, Chris Sale is still a good pitcher. But will we ever see vintage Sale ever again?
One Big Question: Will Jeisson Rosario’s plate discipline buy him another year on the roster?
The strikeout jump in 2021 is concerning.
One Big Question: Can Hudson Potts stick on the 40-man roster?
It’s looking dicey.
One Big Question: Is there more power for Kevin Plawecki?
He’s already a solid backup catcher here, but it seems like there’s not too far for him to get to another level at the plate.
One Big Question: Has Nick Pivetta reached his ceiling?
Nick Pivetta was a solid starting pitcher for the Red Sox last season and there’d be nothing wrong with him being one again. But does the right-hander have another gear left?
One Big Question: When will James Paxton be ready to contribute?
The first step in James Paxton’s comeback journey will be returning to the mound after Tommy John surgery. When can the Red Sox expect him to do that?
One Big Question: Can Bryan Mata get back on his pre-injury timeline?
This year for Mata will likely be about 2023 and beyond.
One Big Question: Can J.D. Martinez shore up his plate discipline?
The slugger’s future is unclear, but he can still make an impact wherever he ends up.
One Big Question: Can Tanner Houck find a way to get through lineups three times?
At least some of the time?
One Big Question: How many innings can Rich Hill provide?
Entering his age-42 season, it’ll be an open question all year.
One Big Question: Can Ronaldo Hernández work more walks?
There’s a lot to like, but it’s not a finished picture.
One Big Question: Is Enrique Hernández now a full-time center fielder?
The second base rumors will remain unless the position is filled when free agency resumes.
One Big Question: Can Darwinzon Hernandez find a way to compensate for the walks?
The stuff is there. The control? Not so much.
One Big Question: Can Jay Groome find his out pitch?
Whether it’s an old or a new breaking ball, he needs it to come around.
One Big Question: Can Nathan Eovaldi be back in Cy Young contention again in 2022?
It’s not out of the question.
One Big Question: Will Jarren Duran get consistent enough at bats to figure out major-league pitching?
And should they be given?
One Big Question: Can Jeter Downs make consistent contact against advanced pitching?
He’s a post-hype prospect who could get back in the top prospect picture this summer.
One Big Question: Can Austin Davis carve out a consistent role in this bullpen?
He has a skillset that makes it possible, but he’ll have to work for it.
One Big Question: Can Bobby Dalbec stop swinging and missing so much?
Bobby Dalbec can mash. He just has to do it more often. Simple, right?
One Big Question: Can Kutter Crawford develop an effective offspeed pitch?
If not, the bullpen may be his landing spot.