Boston Red Sox: 2016 Fantasy Preview

A.L. East

Boston Red Sox

Must Own Fantasy Player: Mookie Betts

Potential Fantasy Bust: David Ortiz

Prospect to Watch: Yoan Moncada

The Red Sox have finished in last place three out the last four seasons, thus making 2016 a vital season for the team to turn things around. After bringing in big time players through free agency and via trade, what should fantasy owners expect from the club next season?

Boston has been littered with superstars throughout their history, and it seems that, Mookie Betts, is just the latest example. Betts took another big step forward last season posting a, .291/18 HR/77 RBI/21 SB/.820 OPS line. People also tend to overlook that he is only 23 as well, so the sky is the limit. I would not scoff at him being a late first round pick this spring.

For the Red Sox offense to perform at its highest level, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rusney Castillo, have to prove they can be everyday big league outfielders. Bradley will be given the task of manning center field and he showed flashes last season that he can produce somewhat to the expectations placed upon him. The AVG may never get higher than .260, but he has the potential to be a 15 HR/15 SB type of player, but he is nothing more than a fantasy OF5 flier.

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Castillo has all the raw tools to produce in the bigs, but he has failed to show consistency. This will be his first year where he will be given consistent playing time in outfield, so this seaon proves to be his best chance at breaking out. Like Bradley he is nothing more than OF5 flier, but it would not be surprising to see him hit 20+ HR next season.

The Red Sox infield is flush with question marks. The only constant is, Xander Bogaerts, who had one of the best offensive performances from any shortstop in baseball. Now some will see only 7 HR and wonder where the power is, but a .320 AVG, 35 doubles and 81 RBI, will ease those concerns. Will Xander hit 10+ HR in 2016, who knows, but his improved approach at the plate and the ability to square balls up consistently, will allow him to have another great season in 2016.

The rest of Boston’s infield certainly has the name recognition, but Dustin Pedroia, Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval, will all be looking to rebound this season. Pedroia’s battles have been with nagging injuries the last two seasons. He was having a solid season in 2015 before he went down, but fantasy owners will have to wonder is he worth rostering again amidst the nagging ailments. With a healthy offseason so far, there is still enough fantasy value with Pedroia that would warrant him still being a nice MI pick.

Sandoval and Ramirez came to Boston last season, and will more than likely always be clumped together. Ramirez was severely miscast as an outfielder last season and his defense made Manny Ramirez look like a Gold Glove candidate. But, fantasy owners tend to ignore the fact that Hanley was hitting the ball well before jamming his shoulder last season. Now that he will tried at first base, we will once again have to see if he sticks defensively or not and he will be one of the biggest wildcards this season in fantasy and for the Red Sox. But, he serves as one of those gambles that can make or break a fantasy owner’s season. The talent is still there.

Sandoval on the other hand, was a train wreck from start to finish last season and fantasy owners will be hard to find any positive signs for his value moving forward. Whether it be his waistband or work ethic, fantasy owners need to ignore him and wait to see if he can be trusted again. Do not sleep on Travis Shaw either, as he showed solid pop last season and could theoretically force Hanley and Pablo into a platoon.

The biggest Red Sox storyline this season will be that, David Ortiz, is retiring. Ortiz once again defied father time and produced another great season by bashing 37 HR. I know people have been trying to write him off over the last handful of seasons, and he has continually proved them all wrong. The only reason he is listed as a bust candidate, is that it eventually gets to a point where we take for granted how hard it is to hit 30+ every season. So do not be surprised if Ortiz finally looks like the 40 year old human being that he is in 2016.

Blake Swihart is easily one of the most athletic catchers in baseball and even give a full time role, could be emerge as a solid fantasy C next season. He has the rare blend of decent pop and speed, which could translate into 10 HR/10 SB type of season. However, with Ryan Hanigan and returning Christian Vazquez in the fold this season, those 400+ at bats fantasy owners want, may be hard to come by. Swihart should only be relied on a late round C flier.

The Red Sox quickly made the biggest offseason splash by signing, David Price, to a record deal. Price was terrific last season and has been one of the best fantasy starters over the course of his career. He is well acquainted with the rigors of the A.L. East and should not miss a beat in 2016, he is still one of top-10 SP next season.

After you get pass Price in the rotation, things get ugly. Youngsters, Eduardo Rodriguez and Henry Owens would be attractive fantasy targets, but the rest of the possible staff is impossible to trust.

Rodriguez is currently battling a knee injury and it seems as though he may miss his first start, but he should still be a mid to late round SP4 or SP5 pick. He looked great last season and as the arsenal to compete amongst the best in the MLB. Owens is currently battling for the a rotation spot, and it is easy to say to that he would probably be a better option than most of the guys in front of him. If he can make the staff out of spring, he could be a nice draft day flier.

Clay Buchholz, Rick Porcello, Roenis Elias, and Joe Kelly, compose the other starting options and it clear to see that the Red Sox desperately lack any front line starters behind Price. Buchholz is either injury prone or ineffective, so he can be ignored. Porello’s ugly peripherals finally caught up to him and he looked wildly mediocre. Elias is intriguing, but may be more suited as a long man out of the pen, limiting his value. Kelly was abysmal last season as well, showing that velocity means nothing if all his pitches are thrown in the middle of the plate, he can be easily ignored.

Where the rotation will leave fans and owners wanting more, their remade bullpen should fill the void. They made it a priority to add a big time reliever, and they did just that by bringing in, Craig Kimbrel. Kimbrel was solid once again last season, and is in the discussion of being the top fantasy RP this season. Koji Uehara will move to a set up role and should continue to excel, Junichi Tazawa will take his talents to the 6^th inning. But acquired reliever, Carson Smith, will be a guy to watch as he quietly emerged as one of the best RP last season with Seattle.

The Red Sox have plenty of talent in the farm system, but one player who continues to impress is, Yoan Moncada. The Cuban import was highly touted before he was signed, but he has further shown his upside last season in the minors and now through spring training. They will take their time with him, but his dynamic skillset could force the Red Sox to promote him by the middle of the season.

Next: 2016 Shortstop Sleepers

The BoSox should sport one of the best offenses in baseball, but like most A.L. East teams, the question will come down to starting pitching. They are the most improved team in the East, but they will desperately need two starters to step up behind Price if they plan on climbing back into contention in 2016.

Looking for more team previews?

NL West: L.A. Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks

NL East: Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, Washington Nationals, New York Mets

NL Central: Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs

A.L. West: Oakland A’s, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros

A.L. Central: Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals

A.L. East: Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays

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