Roche: What I'd Say To Each Sox Player If I Were John Farrell
BOSTON (CBS) -- I love everything about the opening of another Major League Baseball season. The promise of warm weather, relaxation, hope for your team, the crack if the bat, etc. Everything.
Optimism abounds.
However, this year feels different to me. I am baffled by the 2016 Boston Red Sox. I have zero idea of how they will do. They could win it all or finish in the basement for the 4th time in the last 5 years.
So with that, I thought maybe I would take a different approach to previewing this team. Let's take a look at 1-25 by giving you my thoughts as to what I would say to each player if I were the manager, John Farrell.
1.) David Price
David, two words: be yourself. Pretty simple. You made 32 starts last season tossing 220 innings while going 18-5 with a 2.45 ERA and 225 strikeouts. Just aim for the 30-plus starts and 200-plus innings and you'll be fine. Also, keep leading the staff. I've watched you talking and working with all the other pitchers. Good stuff. Keep it up.
2.) Clay Buchholz
Clay, I've been around you for years and I want to make this clear--you have tremendous stuff. So, we need you to do what you've done for us several times in the past. Give us your best 150-170 innings. We'll take care of the rest, whether we need to trade for another arm or call up reinforcements. If we can get you healthy for a stretch run, too, that would be huge.
3.) Joe Kelly
Joe, I watched you go from August 1st to September 9th go 8-0 with a 2.59 ERA with 16 walks and 38 strikeouts. It was the longest streak since Pedro won 10 in 1999. You have the stuff to be a solid starter in the bigs. Trust it. Trust your catcher and game plan. Don't think, throw.
4.) Rick Porcello
Rick, I just sat down with Joe Kelly and I'm going to tell you the same thing I told him: trust your stuff. Trust the sinkerballer that has brought you success. Trust your catcher. Let him put down a sign and then just throw it to where he puts his glove. Keep it simple. Don't overthrow. You have good stuff. Also, don't worry about the contract. We don't need you to carry this staff. That's why David Price is here. I'm going to quote a pretty successful Head Coach in these parts and say, "Do your job."
5.) Steven Wright
Steven, congratulations--not only have you made the team, but you're going to be my fifth starter too. The thing that I want to hammer home with you is that you have evolved into a very good pitcher, not just a knuckleball pitcher. You have improved each and every year, and it's paying off. You're no longer a guy with that one pitch. You know what you're doing out there. You're also 31, so you should be in your prime. Don't think each time you go out that this is going to be a trial. You're here to stay. Relax and pitch.
6.) Craig Kimbrel
Craig, I will say the same thing to you that I said to David Price: be yourself. You have been an elite closer your entire big league career. You will absolutely love pitching at Fenway Park, too. I can see it. You seem to thrive off the environment you're in. Let me see that 95, 96 mph heater. Go get'em.
7.) Koji Uehara
Koji, you have been lights out for the three years that you've been in a Red Sox uniform. When I get you proper rest, you are untouchable. Considering that you're coming off a fractured wrist and that you're 40, I hope to use you wisely in the 7th or 8th inning this season. I consider you still as my elite closer, just that you're doing it now in the 8th inning. You are a valuable part of my bullpen. And with that said, I also need for you to be completely honest with Carl and me as to when you may need a day off or two as we go along.
8.) Junichi Tazawa
Junichi, we overused you last season and that's our fault. It was bound to happen after appearing 71 games in both 2013 and 2014. We saw by the end of the season that you were worn down. It was easy to see as over your first 29 games, you put up a 1.33 ERA as opposed to a 6.54 ERA over your last 32 games. We hope to get more innings from our starters this season so that you won't have to pitch so much.
9.) Robbie Ross, Jr
Robbie, you had a productive 2015 season for us. Loved that you help left-handed hitters to a .224 average and that you didn't allow a single extra base hit to lefties over your final 19 appearances. And, perhaps more importantly, you had a solid 3.26 ERA from August 8th on. We will need that trend to continue this season.
10.) Tommy Layne
Tommy, you set career-highs in appearances (64) and innings (47.2). You also did some great work in the second half. You held lefties to a .148 average, 4th lowest in the American League. Again, just continue at that pace and we'll be fine.
11.) Matt Barnes
Matt, glad to have you on board. With a couple of injuries, you now have a spot on this staff. You have shown that you have the stuff to be more than effective on the major league level. Now, you have to come out if that bullpen with confidence and poise. Time to show that you belong.
12.) Noe Ramirez
Noe, same things apply to you that apply to Matt Barnes. You came up in the final month of last season and showed us and hopefully yourself that you can pitch on this level. You didn't allow a run in 12 of your last 14 appearances. We need that kind of consistency out of you when you get your chances. Trust your stuff.
13.) David Ortiz
David, not much to say to you. Go out and and enjoy your final season in a Red Sox uniform--it's been a pleasure and an honor to watch you wear it. Just do what you normally do and there's no reason we won't see another 30-100 year. The one thing I need you to do is communicate with me and the coaches. If this farewell tour becomes too much of a burden, let us know. We can adjust. I also need you stay on Hanley and Pablo. Make sure they stay focused and with an eye towards winning. This season is about one thing and one thing only--winning. Let's go out and make it a year to remember.
14.) Hanley Ramirez
Hanley, I'm proud of you. From day one of camp, you have come in ready to work. We've asked a lot out of you. Making the move from SS to LF and now 1B is not an easy thing to do. You've come in and have put in the work with Butter. We've all seen tremendous progress to the point where you look like a natural first baseman. Now take that and combine it with what you do best--hitting the baseball. You, Xander, and David have a chance to be a special 3-4-5, one of the best in the game. I want you to focus on that and bring that winning desire and attitude to the park every single day. If you do that, good things will come for you and our team.
15.) Dustin Pedroia
Pretty simple with you Pedey--go out and do what you've always done. The rest is up to me. I look and see that we finished last 3 of the last 4 years. The one year we didn't, you played in 160 regular season games. The three last place years? 141, 135, and 93. I need to find a way to keep you healthy, maybe rest you more often. We need your grind-it-out every day attitude to show us the way.
16.) Xander Bogaerts
Common theme here with you younger guys, Bogie. Just want you to be a leader from the sense of day in and day out just playing the game and having fun. I love the way you have bonded and taken guidance from Butter, Luis Rodriguez, and the staff. Your work ethic was relentless and you improved each and every day. I also know that there's a lot of talk about you improving your home run numbers, but to me, what's important is taking the same approach you had last season. Hit the ball where it's pitched. Stay with that and the power will naturally come your way. And you're part of our strength defensively up the middle along with Blake, Hanny, Pedey, and Jackie. Just keep going about your business.
17.) Travis Shaw
Travis, I'm proud of you. You came into this spring determined to pick up right where you left off (.270, 13 HR, 36 RBI) at the end of last season. We asked you to take a lot of ground balls at 3rd and we're going to give you a shot there. Also, be prepared to play some first base and maybe even left field. Just be yourself out there--grind out at-bats, use all fields, and work hard. You'll be fine. Congratulations--and now the work begins.
18.) Pablo Sandoval
Pablo, I need you. I need you to work with our trainer and our nutritionist. I need you to work as hard as you've ever worked.....because we need you. I want you taking ground balls, hitting, and working out. I want you ready. You can be a big part of this team and if we're going to have the season we want, we will need contributions from everyone. I'm starting Travis at 3rd to start the season, but you know how this game goes. Things can change in a heartbeat. I need you to be ready. I just feel that to start the season, this is the way to go. We need to win starting from day one and we need you. Good things can happen.....just be patient. Be a good teammate. Work hard, and I know you can have a great season.
19.) Brock Holt
Same message this year as last year, Brock. Be ready to play somewhere every day. I don't know where it will be each day, but I do know we're going to start you in left field vs RHP early on here. I also want to make sure that I don't use you too much. That's my responsibility. I want you to be fresh. If I can get you in the lineup 4-5 days per week, you can be a big, big part of this team from Opening Day through the end.
20.) Chris Young
Chris, it's a pleasure to have you on board. Been watching you from afar for a long time, and I love what you bring to a team. Here, we will start you against left-handed pitching and take it from there. There may be more opportunities depending on how the season goes. We may use you in both left field and center field. Be ready. Looking forward to watching you swing the bat, especially at Fenway.
21.) Rusney Castillo
Rusney, I need you to stay sharp. I want you taking extra batting practice every day, and we will find at-bats for you as we go along. It may come down to sending you to Pawtucket so we can get you playing every day. The ceiling is still high, but it's just a matter of finding you more playing time.
22.) Jackie Bradley, Jr
Jackie, you've impressed me this spring. Your swing looks fantastic. You're seeing and adjusting all pitches, which is tremendous. In fact, I am so impressed that I may move you up in the order as the season progresses. On defense, be yourself. Looking forward to a great year and big things from you.
23.) Mookie Betts
Mookie, I love what I see. I love that you took your teammates out for dinner early on this spring. I love that you're so highly respected by veterans and rookies alike. I am putting you in right field and leaving you there. Pretty simple message, go out and have a big year.
24.) Blake Swihart
Blake, a lot of us have been talking about how much progress you've made in a short period of time. It could not have been easy what you went through last season. We threw you into the mix. You had to learn the nuances of this pitching staff, had to ingest the advance scouting reports, had to come up with a game plan and adjust accordingly as the games and season went on, had to learn how to adapt to in-game situations from at-bat to at-bat, and had to hit major-league pitching. You made great strides. Now, you have a new staff with some familiar faces and some new ones. Just put in the work and keep improving. Work with Ryan and the staff and good things will happen.
25.) Ryan Hanigan
Ryan, pleasure to have you healthy. You're exactly what we need on this team--a smart veteran who can catch 40-50 games, hit a bit, and use your knowledge and experience to help the pitchers and Blake. Spend as much time as you can with Swihart and show him the way.