John Farrell for Manager of the Year #seasonpreview

The Red Sox season is finally starting on monday! They had a very mixed spring training filled with some good and some very bad. I think the biggest surprise out of the spring was Hanley. Hanley looks good at first base. I know, what a shocking thing to say. He finally looks happy in the infield and it shows. He is more motivated and is diving for balls and putting in an effort that just wasn't there in left field last year. He seems dedicated to make this last and prove us all wrong about his gold glove joke. I think he could seriously have a chance at it if he keeps working hard like he is now. He is also hitting the ball well. His swing is a work of art and if he stays healthy, he will rake. It also doesn't hurt when you see him being a great person to the fans. Everyday it seems like he is signing balls for people and it's a good sight to see. When Hanley is happy healthy and motivated, we get the Hanley we all love. 

Pablo Sandoval to many was a big failure this spring. He came up fatter than before and just did not seem like he would get the job done defensively. He started to hit better when the competition for third became a thing, but overall defense reigns supreme. It seems like he is taking the bench move okay and wants to do anything to help the Red Sox win. But, with him on the bench, he won't help them win. He needs to be traded because he is useless on the bench. He can't run, field, and barely hits. 

Shaw was a nice surprise and I am glad he is getting his chance at third. He has earned it and worked really hard this spring. I don't think at all will he ever be another Will Middlebrooks. I think he will produce. If he stays hot in the first couple of weeks, I think the job is his for a long time (or until an injury) but if he stumbles once then Panda will take his place. The mayor of ding dong city takes his city back and will hit a lot of ding dongs this year. 

The biggest disappointment this spring was by far the starting pitching. I know spring training stats mean nothing in the long run but the pitchers just did not look good except for Price (the savior). Kelly, Buchholz, and Porcello were all hit really hard in all their games. They did not strike out a lot and gave up a lot of runs. Kelly was the only pitcher who had a few really good starts but then came back with a few really bad ones too. Steven Wright looks pretty good but with a knuckleball, it is hit or miss. The bullpen looks lights out. Even with an injury that will sideline Carson Smith for a few weeks, we still have a great bullpen that will get even better when he comes back.

The strangest move of the spring was making Holt an everyday left fielder against righties and having Castillo on the bench. If Castillo is not starting and getting the reps he needs, then he should go to triple A. He still needs to find himself as a ballplayer in America and without constant reps, he won't do that. They need to send him down now. Holt will be a great left fielder but his strength was his versatility. He could play 7 out of the 9 positions and it seems like he will play maybe 2 or 3 with a start a second or shortstop here or there. If they weren't gonna start Castillo, they should've kept Daniel Murphy. He was doing well and is a decent outfield that can definitely platoon. It was a mistake and they should go to him and say we're sorry and sign up. He is also a great clubhouse guy which is a plus. 

John Farrell is managing for his job and we can see that in his early decisions. He is going with the hot hand hoping it pays off. All these moves definitely shorten our bench but I don't think it will be a problem if our lineup produces like it should. The Red Sox aren't afraid to make moves to help our ball club win if needed at the trade deadline. I really love how the Red Sox are placing hard work over money. If you do your job right and produce then money doesn't matter. Earlier in the season the Red Sox said they did not have a philosophy, but here's one. We are in win now mode and Red Sox Nation is hungry. 

Final Red Sox Prediction: 85-77. They will be in a battle with the Jays for the East. If they don't win that battle I still see them making the wild card.