Red Sox turn page with new look

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

Boston Red Sox Manager Alex Cora knows he has his work cut out for him this season After finishing last in the American League East last year, his club lost All-Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts, five-time All-Star J D Martinez, veteran catcher Christian Vazquez and frontline starter Nathan Eovaldi to free agency Shortstop Trevor Story is expected to be out most of the year after undergoing elbow surgery

There is hope though The team’s ace Chris Sale is expected to be ready to start on Opening Day after being limited to 11 games over the past three seasons due to Tommy John surgery and other injures The team signed Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida to a five-year, $90 million deal and is hoping a group of young players can step up They also signed from the Dodgers one of the toughest relievers in the game in Kenley Jansen They also signed catcher Jorge Alfaro

On Sunday, Cora spoke about the optimism he has for the team while stating he isn’t promising any World Series parades this season “I’m not here to say I will be in Boston celebrating until Nov 15,” he said Sunday

Among the young players the Red Sox will be looking for to step up are first baseman Triston Casas, who will get a shot to start Opening Day after hitting five home runs in a September call-up and walking 19 times in 27 games While his batting average was only 197, his on-base percentage was 358

“He didn’t hit for average but he got on base at a stupid clip. He will get better,” Cora said

Cora pointed to a former Red Sox player who once started out slow as a comparison Cora noted that former All-Star second baseman Dustrin Pedroia, who has been serving as an instructor at camp, batted 191 in his late-season call-up before returning the next season to be named Rookie of the Year

Cora was asked about how the World Baseball Classic was affecting the team by taking away players from spring training camp such as Rafael Devers and Yoshida “It’s part of the business,” he said Cora was concerned about the extensive traveling as in the case of Yoshida heading back to Japan.

Cora said Hall of Famer Jim Rice spoke to the team this past week Rice, who spent his entire career with the club, said “he was very honest about where we play and the environment There is a conception out there that playing in Boston is tough but it’s the other way around it’s a joy It all depends on how you take it I have been saying that all along If you are accountable, genuine and transparent You are going to be fine in this city ”

Cora said having Rice and Pedroia at camp, “makes us better ”

Red Sox General Manager Chaim Bloom spent Sunday watching players in the batting cages and workouts while also mingling with fans, signing autographs and taking photos One fan apologized to Bloom for having been critical of him

“We’re excited. I love the vibe around this camp,” Bloom said “It’s a great mix of veterans who have won In some cases have won in multiple places ”

Bloom is high on the prospects of Yoshida, who he said can drive the ball to all fields “This guy has the chance to put together a really special at-bat in the big leagues The strike-zone judgment, the contact skills are off the charts. He hits the ball hard. One of the cool things you see here in the camp is how he is interacting I don’t want to sell short how difficult it is to navigate the language barrier and cultural differences ”

Cora said Yoshida “has been good about his routine” and has been good about learning the team’s “structure ”

Bloom said Sale “looks great He is in a great frame of mind He has been through so much so it’s really good to see him not just healthy but feeling great, seeing a smile on his face every day ” Bloom said Sale brings “locker room energy” to the team

Bloom is looking forward to some of the team’s young pitchers progressing this spring, including Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock He is also high on minor league pitcher Bryan Mata

Bloom is also a fan of Casas He said Casas “put together great at-bats. The results weren’t always there but the at-bats were fantastic He has looked great He came into camp in tremendous shape He knows he’s got a real good opportunity in front of him He’s taking it seriously ”

At a press conference Monday, Cora was asked how Jensen was adapting to the pitch clock Jensen, who is known to take time between pitches, “was on time,” Cora said “At one point, he used the whole (15 seconds) He had to make some adjustments to his delivery ”

Cora said there were a lot of complaints in the offseason when the new rules were announced but said “we have to turn the page.”

Cora said he is most concerned about the rule changes which bans the shift of the second baseman into the outfield between first base and second base “For me personally, the shift with men at first because now as a right fielder there is going to be a lot of singles that way and you have to charge the ball and throw people out at first base.”

As for shortstop, Bloom said Kike Hernandez will get the first chance to take Bogaerts' place Cora said Bobby Dalbec will also play a little shortstop Bloom said Bogaerts, who signed an 11-year, $280 million deal with the Padres in the offseason at the age of 30, won’t be replaceable “What Xander did, stands for itself,” he said

BILLIE WEISS/BOSTON RED SOX/GETTY IMAGES

PROVIDED COURTESY OF THE BOSTON RED SOX

ABOVE: Red Sox principal owner John Henry greets Fort Myers Beach youth who were invited with their families to JetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers on Monday, the first day of full-squad workouts. LEFT: Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale interacts with Fort Myers Beach children and their families at the scoreboard in the outfield of JetBlue park at Fenway South in Fort Myers Monday The families were invited by Red Sox principal owner John Henry to the park on the first day of full-squad workouts in spring training

Fort Myers Beach Elementary School student takes a swing at JetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers on Monday, the first day of full-squad workouts Schmucker and other Fort Myers Beach children and their families were invited to the part by Red Sox principal owner John Henry

Beach families

“It really was a special day for all of us, and we are so grateful to everyone who thought of doing this and who helped put

Red Sox principal owner John Henry greets the Schmucker family, one of several Fort Myers Beach families who were invited with their families to JetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers on Monday, the first day of full-squad workouts

From page 1 it together,” Schmucker stated “These kids really do need some sunshine in their lives, and it’s nice to have moments like this away from the devastation and just enjoying life in the moment ”

Manager Keith Wilkins along with the Vanasse, Koss and Field families