– Last Updated on November 21, 2022 4:47 pm
Red Sox 2017 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2017 Boston Red Sox predictions? The Red Sox take a little bit of time to regroup, and then strike again. It looks like Dave Dombrowski and his brain trust are pushing the chips in for 2017. With a wealth of pitching talent and other impact players both old and young, the Sox ought to be in pole position in the AL East.
MLB Red Sox Predictions & Handicapping Insight
Manager John Farrell is the media-savvy type that is bound to be successful in baseball-mad New England – provided the Ws keep appearing in the ledger.
2017 MLB Team Previews – Boston Red Sox
- American League East -175
- American League +225
- World Series +450
Key Additions:
- Chris Sale
- Tyler Thornburg
- Mitch Moreland
Obviously, the gem in this haul is the Chicago White Sox ace. Despite having to give up prized prospect Yoan Moncada to get him, Sale is a workhorse that will eat innings even in the challenging Fenway Park.
Thornburg will help the bullpen by throwing some smoke, and Moreland is a functional bat, but Sale is the guy that puts Boston’s starting rotation on steroids (eek…too soon)?
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The bullpen was pretty lousy in 2016, so the addition of Thornburg is also key.
The Sox also get back hard-throwing Carson Smith, who went down with Tommy John surgery last year. With last year’s one-bagger Hanley Ramirez likely moving to DH to replace David Ortiz, Moreland could see plenty of time at first.
Key Losses:
- 1B/DH David Ortiz
- P Clay Buchholz
- IF Travis Shaw
What the Red Sox lose with the absence of Ortiz goes beyond the numbers, which, let’s not forget, were ample (.315/.401/.620 to go with 127 RBI last year, at 40 years old!)
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He truly embodied his call to the Fenway Faithful after the Boston Marathon bombings: “This is our f*cking city!”
He will always be a legend in New England, it is important now that the collection of Boston’s other talented players can cobble together enough stats so as to not leave too large a void in the production end of things.
Red Sox Predictions: Projected Lineup:
- 2B Dustin Pedroia
- OF Andrew Benintendi
- OF Mookie Betts
- SS Xander Bogaerts
- DH Hanley Ramirez
- OF Jackie Bradley
- 3B Pablo Sandoval
- 1B Mitch Moreland
- C Sandy Leon
Boston’s batting order is hella potent, at least one-thru-six. Even the guys at the bottom have potential, as backstop Sandy Leon hit like Mike Piazza for a couple of months of last summer, and Pablo “Kung Fu Panda” Sandoval could be useful if he keeps his fitness sorted out.
The prize of the lineup is Mookie Betts, who is a bona fide MVP candidate, while it will be interesting to see how much of a jump Bogaerts and Benintendi make, two intriguing young stars.
Red Sox Predictions: Projected Rotation:
- LH David Price
- RH Chris Sale
- RH Rick Porcello
- LH Drew Pomeranz
- RH E. Rodriguez
Boston’s rotation will be good however you slice it, but they could be sublime if David Price’s elbow inflammation is nothing to worry about long-term.
Price recently saw renouned orthopaedist Dr. James Andrews and though it was decided he didn’t need surgery, elbow discomfort is always a red-flag with an innings-eating hurler.
The acquisition of Sale from Chicago was huge. Oh, and their no. 3 starter won the Cy Young Award last year, and deserved it.
Throw in the young promise of Pomeranz and Eduardo Rodriguez, and the rotation is the best part of the Red Sox.
Red Sox Predictions: Projected Closer:
- RH Craig Kimbrel
Kimbrel has maybe lost a little bit of his utter dominance that he showed pitching for the Atlanta Braves, but he is still an excellent option. The days of soft-tossing options like aged Japanese pitcher Koji Uehara are done in Beantown.
The addition of Thornburg will help getting the game to Kimbrel with a lead.
2017 Boston Red Sox Prediction: 93-69, 1st in AL East
Dombrowski always went after a World Series title with zeal when he was in the Tigers’ front office, and his move to Boston hasn’t changed him a bit.
The Red Sox are in it to win it, and with the exception of Cleveland (some might say Texas, but I don’t see it) they are the top dog in the American League.
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Barring injury trouble, the Red Sox should win the East division without much trouble.
If Price’s injury turns out to be more significant, it perhaps opens the door for a team like the Blue Jays or the Yankees, but those teams are even worse off when they inevitably deal with dinged-up players themselves.
Yes, a Boston team will compete for the championship. AGAIN.
Same Bat time, same Bat channel.
What do you think of our 2017 Boston Red Sox predictions? Comments are welcome below.
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