February 6, 2019

In Camp

At 11:15 PM (ET) on October 28, Chris Sale struck out Manny Machado and we began wrapping our collective minds around the undeniably surreal concept that we have witnessed the Boston Red Sox win FOUR World Series championships in the last 15 years.

2004
2007
2013
2018

What has the probable "Team of The Decade" been up to in the last 14 weeks?

Resigned: Nathan "Iron Man" Eovaldi (4/68) and Steve "World Series MVP" Pearce (1/6.25).

Acquired: Reliever Colten Brewer from the Padres for minor league infielder Esteban Quiroz. Brewer, 26 and a right-hander, debuted last year, allowing 15 hits, seven walks, and 10 runs in 9.2 innings. Six earned runs gave him a 5.59 ERA.

Departed Free Agents: Drew Pomeranz (signed with the Giants for one year), Joe Kelly (Dodgers, three years), and Ian Kinsler (Padres, two years). Craig Kimbrel and Brandon Phillips remain unsigned.

Claimed Off Waivers: Robby Scott (Reds).

Released: William Cuevas.

Signed to a Minor League Contract with Spring Training Invitation: pitchers Carson Smith, Erasmo Ramirez, Ryan Weber, Domingo Tapia, and Zach Putnam; catcher Juan Centeno; infielder Tony Renda; and outfielders Bryce Brentz and Gorkys Hernandez.

Signed to a Minor League Contract: pitchers Jenrry Mejia, Brian Ellington, Adrian Hernandez, Railin Perez, and Reidis Sena; outfielder Moises Barajas; and catcher Yorberto Mejicano.

Spring Training Invitation (non-roster): pitchers Josh A. Smith and Mike Shawaryn; infielders Bobby Dalbec, Josh Ockimey, Chad De La Guerra, and C.J. Chatham; catchers Oscar Hernandez and Austin Rei; and outfielders Cole Sturgeon, Tate Matheny, and Rusney Castillo.

Added to the 40-Man Roster: pitchers Denyi Reyes, Darwinzon Hernandez, Travis Lakins, and Josh Taylor; and infielder Michael Chavis.

Outrighted to Pawtucket: pitchers Austin Maddox and Justin Haley; and infielder Tony Renda.

Calendar:
Wednesday, February 13: Pitchers and catchers report & workout
Monday, February 18: Full squad report & workout
Friday, February 22: First game: vs. Northeastern Huskies
Saturday, February 23: First Grapefruit League game: vs. MFY
Thursday, March 28: Opening Day at Mariners

Two days ago, Peter Abraham of the Globe reported that every member of the Red Sox's starting rotation - Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello, Eovaldi, and Eduardo Rodriguez - was already in Fort Myers, more than a week before the official reporting date. After the Patriots won Sunday's Super Bowl, Sale remarked: "It's our turn now." ... (I think he means "It's our turn again"!)

The Red Sox have only one player among MLB's Top 100 Prospects: #69, Michael Chavis, third baseman. With Rafael Devers - one year younger than Chavis and clearly a better player - at third, Chavis's future is uncertain.

ESPN's Keith Law ranked Boston's farm system 24th (of 30) and Matt Collins of Over The Monster was not surprised. Law had zero Red Sox prospects in his Top 100, though pitcher Darwinzon Hernandez was on the "just missed" list. Collins notes that Law "always has very interesting lists that tend to part ways with the consensus" and he offers his thoughts on Law's 22 Red Sox prospects here.

Jackie Bradley will not be going to the White House on May 9. He is the third player to decline, joining Mookie Betts and Devers.

David Price has changed his number from 24 to 10.

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