Massarotti: Breaking Down Red Sox Roster For 2016
BOSTON (CBS) -- It's early, but it's never too early to look ahead to the spring.
With that in mind, Tony Massarotti took a look at the projected roster of the Red Sox for the 2016 season, starting with the rotation.
"Beyond David Price, there's some innings and durability issues there," Mazz said. "Rick Porcello has a decent track record of durability; the other guys, really none whatsoever. So that's going to be something to watch."
As for the bullpen, the Red Sox have added a couple of power arms in Carson Smith and Craig Kimbrel.
"In fact, Price, Kimbrel and Smith averaged as a group 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings last year -- no small feat, given the ineptitude or inability of the Red Sox' pitchers to get strikeouts when they needed them," Mazz said.
As for the lineup, the assumption for now is that Hanley Ramirez will be in there at first base. That is, however, subject to potential change.
The other area that bears watching is behind the plate.
"Catcher is the spot to watch. There's no guarantee there that Blake Swihart is going to remain with the team," Mazz said. "Ryan Hanigan is going to be on the club, he's a veteran guy. Christian Vazquez really depends on health. You should not be surprised if Swihart is in Triple-A to start the year and either Vazquez or Hanigan is the starter. Swihart got rushed last year, and the Red Sox are giving some indication that they'd like him to work a little more on his defense, particularly at handling balls in the dirt."
Watch the video above for Mazz's full breakdown.
