Five questions as the Red Sox close in on Opening Day

Here are 5 questions that may want solutions throughout the last countdown:

1. Can they discover a taker for Masataka Yoshida?

Maybe Yoshida’s standout performance at the World Baseball Classic oops his commerce worth.

“I don’t know about trade value,” supervisor Alex Cora mentioned. “He’s a good hitter, right?”

Cora has talked up Yoshida loads, however the actuality stays: Yoshida is an awkward-at-best match for this roster, with no path to common at-bats barring an harm or two (or a entrance workplace about-face resulting in a commerce of Jarren Duran).

There is a state of affairs in which Yoshida stays with the Red Sox and is beneficial as a pinch hitter/occasional DH. But if a membership is prepared to take on even, say, a 3rd of its remaining $36 million over two years, it might work out for each events. Yoshida would get extra of a possibility, and the Red Sox might release that roster spot for, for instance, the Team USA-torching Nate Eaton, a possible bench weapon.

The Braves, who lost Jurickson Profar for the year due to his second performance-enhancing drug suspension, come to thoughts as a group that wants a DH.

2. Who might be the backup catcher?

Entering spring coaching, the Red Sox had little roster-related intrigue. With most of camp full, that continues to be the case.

A testomony to that tranquility: Backup catcher may be the largest probability for an upset.

Connor Wong is the incumbent No. 2, however he struggled considerably at the plate final yr, and that has continued in Grapefruit League play. Matt Thaiss, in the meantime, has “been catching our eye,” Cora famous not too long ago. Other Sox decision-makers have expressed related.

If the Red Sox wish to make that swap, they’re free to. Wong will be optioned to the minors. Thaiss will be put on the main league roster (and has an upward-mobility clause that makes him obtainable to different groups if the Red Sox do not wish to add him).

It could be a surefire method to bolster the group’s catcher depth, since Wong could be prepared and ready when the Sox have to name up somebody. In the meantime, he would work with the pitching prospects in Triple A, which isn’t any small function.

3. Who will exchange Romy Gonzalez?

Gonzalez’s left shoulder injury — and potential surgical procedure that might sideline him for months — creates a noteworthy opening. The Red Sox ought to have a greater concept this week how lengthy he might be out.

Defensively expert Andruw Monasterio discovered success towards lefthanded pitchers whereas with the Brewers final yr, and he has drawn constant reward from Cora in current weeks. Utilityman Nick Sogard is the different infield-centric choice.

The different sort of, type of roster questions just about have solutions. Sox officers are jazzed up about Johan Oviedo, so take into account him nonetheless the favourite to snag the open spot in the rotation. They haven’t officially declared that Caleb Durbin will play third base (as against second), however Cora indicated this week that it is vitally probably. They have not assured Marcelo Mayer a spot, however he’s the apparent option to play second.

4. How will the bullpen shake out?

Cora estimated that the Red Sox have “two spots, maybe three” up for grabs for relievers, the most risky place group in the sport.

Working backward: Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock will deal with the late innings, and Justin Slaten and Greg Weissert additionally return. That is 4 relievers out of eight complete.

Pencil in Zack Kelly, 5. Lefthander Jovani Morán, who in all probability however not undoubtedly will stick round (and who can’t be optioned to the minors), makes six.

Cora offered a large subject for the final two slots.

The Sox should determine on Ryan Watson, a Rule 5 choose who might be in the majors or supplied again to the Giants. Cora talked about righthander Kyle Keller, who spent the previous 4 seasons in Japan however is again stateside on a minor league deal; lefthander Tyler Samaniego, who hasn’t pitched above Double A; righthander Noah Song, the Navy reservist; righthander Tayron Guerrero, who at 35 has by no means discovered success in the majors however throws 100 miles per hour; and righthander Seth Martinez, who “understands the job,” Cora mentioned, of inglorious multi-inning mopup man.

The wild card: different golf equipment’ fringe arms who develop into obtainable close to the finish of spring coaching. The final opening or two could properly go to somebody(s) not at present in the group.

It’s a motley crew — and a captivating group in the context of the Red Sox not buying any established relievers over the offseason. Keep in thoughts that no matter it appears to be like like on Day One, the bullpen crew might be topic to frequent change.

“We’ve just got to stay healthy, and other guys have to step up,” Cora mentioned. “That’s the reality of it.”

5. Can the Red Sox keep this wholesome?

(Please keep in mind throughout this maybe dangerous little acknowledgment that jinxes should not actual.)

The Red Sox have remained remarkably wholesome, a credit score to the gamers as properly as the medical/coaching employees, plus a bit of fine fortune. Only one member of the authentic projected Opening Day roster is injured: Gonzalez, whose shoulder downside originated in September and isn’t one thing that popped up throughout camp.

Other than that, the Sox are principally batting 1,000. The outfield remains to be surplus-y. The rotation is full (and so is Worcester’s). The infield is complete and, it appears, defensively succesful. None of the 13 members of the 40-man roster in the WBC have give you any points.

Ask any baseball particular person what she or he is searching for right now of yr, and inevitably at the high of the record is: Escape spring coaching wholesome. So far, the Sox are having a banner season.

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The Red Sox introduced Wednesday that they agreed to one-year contracts with 20 gamers who’ve fewer than three years in the majors, a regular course of that occurs yearly round this time. The group contains Wilyer Abreu, Durbin, Carlos Narváez, and Mayer. None had negotiating leverage and all will make the minimal wage ($780,000) or barely extra.

Tim Healey will be reached at timothy.healey@globe.com. observe him @timbhealey.