Sox Notes: Spring Training Begins, Cora, Cordero
Some old country singer is going to need to write The Ballad of Franchy Cordero
It was 85 degrees in Fort Myers, Florida on Sunday according to the Boston Globe. That’s some baseball weather right there. This thing is going, so make sure you’re subscribed to Sox Outsider. It’s going to be a fun and interesting season and I want to make sure you’re along for the ride with me!
Spring Training Game, The First
Spring training games have begun, as the Red Sox can attest to after falling to the Twins 7-6 in a devastating loss that could jeopardize Boston’s chances at the ha ha just kidding who cares. That’s the beauty of spring training (as I wrote about last week). You only take away what you want.
For a day, Michael Chavis had a roster spot locked up. For a day, the Mookie Betts trade looked good. For a day, Bobby Dalbec was Boston’s Aaron Judge. For a day, Nathan Eovaldi was healthy and throwing 99. What more do you want?
Looking over the box score it is remarkable how many players are officially Interesting. Typically, early spring training features a significant number of players you’ve never heard of, a bunch of never-weres vying for spots as roster filler in the minors. There are some of those guys, there are always some of those guys, but yesterday found a lot of legit GUYS in the lineup as well.
Former first rounder Michael Chavis got a full game in, partially at DH and partially at third base, a sign the organization wants to see him play before deciding where he starts the year. He homered in three ABs, but almost as notably he did not strike out. He didn’t even swing and miss! Chavis grounded out on a 107.2 mph ground ball, the hardest hit ball of the day according to StatCast, though they don’t have figures available for all the at-bats. Even so, 107 mph is pretty hard to hit a ball, and then to homer in addition to that. Good day at the plate for the Ice Horse.
The Mookie Trade prospects were both in the lineup yesterday with catching prospect Conner Wong and second base prospect Jeter Downs both snagging some playing time. Wong doubled in two trips to the plate and Downs homered and singled in his two ABs. It would’ve been nice if NESN had broadcast the game so at this point I could tell you more details, but they didn’t so I can’t.
Center field prospect Jarren Duran started in center field and went 1-for-2 with an infield base hit. He’s close to the top of the list of players I want to get eyes on this spring, and maybe at the top as long as Jackie Bradley Jr. doesn’t come ski jumping through that door. Duran’s always been fast, but he never hit for power before changing his swing during the 2020 “season” at the alternate site. Adding power to his speed and potentially above average defense in center field makes him an intriguing guy and a potential heir apparent in CF for the Red Sox. He’s definitely someone to keep an eye on this spring.
Relief prospect Eduard Bazardo threw a scoreless inning. He’s reportedly added some serious velocity, going from the low to the upper 90s. Combine that with a super spiny curveball and the whole package goes from ‘meh’ to ‘well now!’ The Sox pen isn’t exactly the early 90s Reds either so there’s always room for a guy who can throw strikes and get swings and misses. We’ll see if Bazardo can be that guy, but the extremely early returns at least mark him as worth paying attention to.
From the ‘well at least he didn’t get injured eating pancakes’ file, Rafael Devers batted twice and struck out both times.
Meet The New Guy, Same As The Old Old Guy
New Old manager Alex Cora (or is it old new manager?) managed his first game back with Boston. He was in good spirits and though I’m not sure I would’ve brought him back were it up to me (news flash: it was not up to me) I’m excited he is back. He’s clearly good at this, he fits in fantastically with the team and the organization, and there isn’t a manager in the game I’d take over him in a post-season series with the possible exception of Terry Francona.
He’s acknowledged his mistake and though, again, that would’ve been a disqualifying mistake for me, I do get how he served his time away from the game. In some ways the ongoing COVID pandemic combined with the ever evolving Red Sox roster to make Cora’s return more insignificant and thus easier than it otherwise might be. That there aren’t fans in the stands or in-person media interviews certainly makes things less painful and reduces what might normally be a pretty large distraction.
Oh Franchy
When the Red Sox dealt Andrew Benintendi for Franchy Cordero (and four other minor leaguers) they knew Cordero’s tantalizing talent. They also knew about his penchant for injuries. Cordero played 30 games for the Padres in 2017, 40 games for them in 2018, and 9 for them in 2019. Then, traded to Kansas City, he managed 16 games in 2020. The list of injuries the man has suffered is almost a list of possible injures a baseball player can suffer. Benintendi totaled more games than Cordero has managed in four seasons in 2019 alone.
Cordero may be a member of a new organization but his old luck hasn’t abandoned him just yet. The poor guy has come down with COVID-19. He’s still in his home country of the Dominican Republic, so he’ll have to get well, travel to the states, and then undergo whatever COVID protocols are necessary, all of which is to say don’t expect to see him patrolling the outfield at Fenway South anytime soon. Hopefully he gets healthy soon.
Spring Season Begins
Yesterday’s spring opener marked the first of eight straight spring games. The Red Sox will face off against the Braves, Rays, Twins, and Orioles during that time. Some of those games will be on TV and all will be on the radio, so if by chance you’re sick of this winter, sick of snow, freezing rain, your house or apartment, just super sick of the pandemic, and want a hint of normalcy back in your life, you’ll have a few chances to throw on a Sox game over the next week. Here’s to forgetting how much the world sucks at the moment.
Sox Outsider Podcast
There are eight episodes of The Sox Outsider Podcast out, the most recent with Michael Baumann of The Ringer. Michael and I had a great conversation where we covered MLB labor relations and the future of the CBA, the Red Sox under Chaim Bloom, and a whole bunch of other topics. Definitely check it out if you haven’t yet.
I never want to announce guests ahead of time, just in case someone has to change plans - I don’t want anyone to look bad or for you to be disappointed - but I’m comfortable saying I’ve got some great guests lined up over the next month. I’ll be previewing the Red Sox and the MLB season in addition to talking about whatever is pertinent and noteworthy in Red Sox nation, so please check the show out. It’s on just about every podcast site you could want (here’s the list) but if there’s one it’s not on, let me know and I’ll try my hardest to get it up there for you.
If you’ve been listening and you’ve enjoyed the show, please throw some stars my way. It helps get the show at bit more attention. Thanks.
Don’t Forget To Brush, Folks
As a last note, I had oral surgery (again) this past week and while I’m fine, I took the opportunity to take a few days off from writing. I’m glad that’s over! Now I’m feeling great again and I’m eager to get back to covering some Red Sox baseball.
Thanks for reading and listening, everyone!