They haven\u2019t officially declared that Caleb Durbin will play third base<\/a> (as opposed to second), but Cora indicated this week that it is very likely. They haven\u2019t guaranteed Marcelo Mayer a spot, but he is the obvious choice to play second.<\/span><\/p>\n4. How will the bullpen shake out?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\nCora estimated that the Red Sox have \u201ctwo spots, maybe three\u201d up for grabs for relievers, the most volatile position group in the sport.<\/span><\/p>\nWorking backward: Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock will handle the late innings, and Justin Slaten and Greg Weissert also return. That is four relievers out of eight total.<\/span><\/p>\nPencil in Zack Kelly, five. Lefthander Jovani Mor\u00e1n, who probably but not definitely will stick around (and who cannot be optioned to the minors), makes six.<\/span><\/p>\nCora presented a wide field for the last two slots.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Sox will have to decide on Ryan Watson, a Rule 5 pick who will be in the majors or offered back to the Giants. Cora mentioned righthander Kyle Keller, who spent the past four seasons in Japan but is back stateside on a minor league deal; lefthander Tyler Samaniego, who hasn\u2019t pitched above Double A; righthander Noah Song, the Navy reservist; righthander Tayron Guerrero, who at 35 has never found success in the majors but throws 100 miles per hour; and righthander Seth Martinez, who \u201cunderstands the job,\u201d Cora said, of inglorious multi-inning mopup man.<\/span><\/p>\nThe wild card: other clubs\u2019 fringe arms who become available near the end of spring training. The last opening or two may well go to someone(s) not currently in the organization.<\/span><\/p>\nIt\u2019s a motley crew \u2014 and a fascinating group in the context of the Red Sox not acquiring any established relievers over the offseason. Keep in mind that whatever it looks like on Day One, the bullpen crew will be subject to frequent change.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cWe\u2019ve just got to stay healthy, and other guys have to step up,\u201d Cora said. \u201cThat\u2019s the reality of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n5. Can the Red Sox stay<\/b> this<\/b><\/i> healthy?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n(Please remember during this perhaps risky little acknowledgment that jinxes are not real.)<\/span><\/p>\nThe Red Sox have remained remarkably healthy, a credit to the players as well as the medical\/training staff, plus a bit of good fortune. Only one member of the original projected Opening Day roster is injured: Gonzalez, whose shoulder problem originated in September and is not something that popped up during camp.<\/span><\/p>\nOther than that, the Sox are basically batting 1.000. The outfield is still surplus-y. The rotation is full (and so is Worcester\u2019s). The infield is whole and, it seems, defensively capable. None of the 13 members of the 40-man roster in the WBC have come up with any issues.<\/span><\/p>\nAsk any baseball person what he or she is looking for at this time of year, and inevitably at the top of the list is: Escape spring training healthy. So far, the Sox are having a banner season.<\/span><\/p>\n***<\/span><\/p>\nThe Red Sox announced Wednesday that they agreed to one-year contracts with 20 players who have fewer than three years in the majors, a standard process that happens every year around this time. The group includes Wilyer Abreu, Durbin,\u00a0Carlos Narv\u00e1ez, and Mayer. None had negotiating leverage and all will make the minimum salary ($780,000) or slightly more.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Boston Globe Sports Report: Episode 19<\/p>\n