Cora talks OF alignment, pitching roles, more

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- In his annual opening of Spring Training press conference, Red Sox manager Alex Cora touched on a variety of topics regarding his 2022 squad. Here are five takeaways:

Consistency -- need more of it
The Red Sox ultimately had a satisfying 2021 season in which they performed well above external expectations, winning 92 games in the regular season and making a strong postseason run that put them just two victories away from advancing to the World Series.

But the one thing that bothered Cora most along the way is that it was too up and down.

“We’ve got to be consistent. Last year at one point in the season, we were the best team in the big leagues. At one point in the season, we were the worst team in the big leagues,” said Cora. “And at one point in the playoffs, we were the hottest team in the playoffs, and then we became the coldest team in the playoffs. So, we’ve been looking for consistency.”

How can they get there?

“Obviously, like [we said] last year going into the season, be better defensively,” said Cora. “Be a little bit more consistent offensively. I know we have a great offense, But there's certain times that we just rely too much on the long ball. We made a lot of mistakes last year throughout the season. I don't want to say we got lucky to make it to the playoffs. But I hope we will be more consistent. If we do that, we’ve got a chance to make it.”

OF alignment -- Kiké could stay in CF
Despite the return of defensive stud Jackie Bradley Jr. to the Sox, Cora seems to be leaning toward keeping Kiké Hernández as the primary center fielder. Hernández was excellent while playing that position full-time for the first time in his career last year. Having Bradley in right isn’t a bad thing, particularly at Fenway Park. The Red Sox have always said you need to be a right fielder who plays like a center fielder to cover the tricky and cavernous dimensions in Boston’s right field. Bradley’s cannon arm would also play in right.

“I think defensively, if we go Enrique in center, Jackie in right, that’s pretty solid and obviously Alex [Verdugo] did an outstanding job in left field,” Cora said. “But, you know, we are looking and we're trying to improve and we'll see where we go.”

In other words, the outfield alignment is contingent on what chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom does leading up to Opening Day.

The Red Sox are looking for a right-handed bat. If they get one who plays the outfield, Hernández could re-locate to second base.

“The good thing is that Enrique is so versatile, that he can play second, he can play center,” Cora said. “Obviously he can play short and all that but we'll see where we’re at roster-wise in the upcoming weeks or on Opening Day. And we'll adjust from there.”

Whitlock, Houck -- roles to be determined
The one thing you know about young guns Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck is that they will both be key members of Boston’s pitching staff throughout 2022. What isn’t as clear? Which roles they will perform in.

Both fireballers will be stretched out as starters during Spring Training.

The current projected rotation includes Nathan Eovaldi, Chris Sale and Nick Pivetta for sure. Newcomers Michael Wacha and Rich Hill could be in line for the final two spots, which would keep Whitlock and Houck in the ‘pen. But nothing has been decided.

“We’re deeper than last year as far as like, you know, guys that can go multiple innings long into the game so [Whitlock, Houck], they looked great today,” Cora said. "I know Whit has been dominating the church league in his hometown. You know, he was trying to get his confidence up, he said. But Tanner did an outstanding job too for everything he said and obviously, what we saw on social media, you know, getting bullpens in and facing live hitting.

“So we're in a good spot, and obviously they were amazing last year. We expect them to be really good again. But at the same time, there's other guys that we added to the equation and we'll see where it takes us."

Despite the uniquely shortened Spring Training leading into this season, Cora does not plan on going with a six-man rotation at this point.

Who will close?
Aside from 2018, when Craig Kimbrel was the unquestioned closer for the Red Sox, Cora has never been big on announcing who will pitch the ninth inning prior to the start of the season.

This year is no exception.

“We’ll see on April 7,” Cora said.

Matt Barnes had the role for the first half last season and emerged as an All-Star. But he struggled mightily in the second half.

“Let’s put it this way: He just had two bad months,” said Cora. “We're trying to get him right. Physically, he looks good. I think you know, he worked on a few things. I just saw him throwing a bullpen. Just a matter of getting back on track. The fastball has to play and it played early in the season. And then he avoided the strike zone for a while there and he got into trouble. So getting back to you know, the mentality of attacking, attacking, attacking. If he does that, he'll be OK.”

Barnes is one obvious candidate to close if he can get his groove back. Whitlock is another. Beyond that, Bloom could still add someone to fill that role.

Vaccination status for Toronto?
As of right now, players who aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19 won’t be allowed to play in Toronto. The Red Sox have a four-game series on the road against the Blue Jays on April 25-28. They go to Toronto again from June 27-29 and for a third and final time Sept. 30-Oct. 2.

Last September, Red Sox ace Chris Sale said he wasn’t vaccinated. Xander Bogaerts, Christian Arroyo and Josh Taylor were among other Sox players who weren’t vaccinated by the end of the 2021 season.

Given that the Blue Jays are an American League East rival, the Sox will want to be as close to full strength as they can be for those games.

“I mean, obviously, that's a great question,” said Cora. “And we'll get there when we get there, obviously. We’re gathering information to see where we are at, as far as vaccination and all that. Things might have changed in the offseason with certain guys, but right now, I think it's too early to know about that. And obviously, that's a few weeks from now. So let's enjoy this. You know, let me enjoy this one and then we can get to the tough topics.”