The Boston Red Sox are in grind mode down in Fort Myers, chiseling away at their spring training roster as Opening Day looms on March 27. On Monday, they made a trio of moves, sending right-handers Austin Adams, Isaiah Campbell, and Noah Davis packing to minor league camp. That trims the big-league camp down to 52 players—37 on the roster, 15 non-roster invitees—and manager Alex Cora’s already dropping hints that more cuts are coming fast. “By Friday, we should have a better idea,” Cora said, eyeing a clearer picture of the squad. With a Wednesday morning purge likely after Tuesday’s clash with the Yankees in Tampa Bay, the clock’s ticking on some big decisions.
Rotation Roulette: Who Grabs the Last Two Spots?
The spotlight’s blazing on the back end of Boston’s starting five. Lucas Giolito, Kutter Crawford, and Tanner Houck are locked in, but those final two slots? It’s a dogfight. Richard Fitts is turning heads—10 ⅔ innings, just one run allowed, a WHIP under 1.00. The 25-year-old’s been dealing, mixing a sharp fastball with a slider that’s got hitters flailing. Then there’s Sean Newcomb, a non-roster invitee who’s making noise—9 ⅔ innings, one run, and a knack for missing bats. He’s a lefty with a funky delivery, and at 31, he’s hungry to stick in the majors after bouncing around.
Cooper Criswell’s in the mix too, though he’s been sidelined by a bug. He’s got a fourth minor-league option, so if he doesn’t crack the rotation, Triple-A Worcester’s his likely landing spot. Quinn Priester’s got upside but hasn’t popped this spring—6.75 ERA over 8 innings—and Michael Fulmer, another non-roster guy, is a wild card with his vet savvy but a rusty 4.50 ERA in limited work. Fitts and Newcomb are the hot hands right now, and Cora’s got till Friday to figure out who’s got the juice to roll with the big club. My money’s on Fitts for his pure stuff and Newcomb as the lefty wildcard—unless Criswell’s health flips the script.
Second Base Puzzle: Campbell’s Crunch Time
Over at second base, it’s a different kind of mess. Top prospect Kristian Campbell was supposed to be the future—maybe even the now—but he’s scuffling hard. A 5-for-33 clip (.152 average) with 12 strikeouts in 15 games isn’t cutting it, and his shot at the starting gig’s slipping away. The 22-year-old’s got tools—speed, pop, and a .300-plus average in the minors last year—but spring’s been a wake-up call. Tuesday’s split-squad game against the Orioles is do-or-die—he’s penciled in at second, and he’s gotta show something to keep his name in the hat.
Here’s where it gets tricky. Rafael Devers might slide from third to DH to make room for Alex Bregman, the Gold Glove stud they snagged this offseason. If Campbell had locked down second, it’d be a clean shuffle—Devers to DH, Bregman at third, Campbell at second. But with Campbell stumbling, David Hamilton’s lurking. The 27-year-old’s a speed demon (46 steals in Triple-A last year) and hit .248 in 66 MLB games in ’24. He’s not a power guy—two homers lifetime—but he’s steady enough to hold the fort. Problem is, sticking Hamilton at second means Bregman’s glued to third, and Devers as full-time DH might clog the lineup flexibility Cora loves.
The Big Picture
Cora’s playing chess here. The rotation’s gotta gel—Fitts and Newcomb could stabilize a staff that’s got Giolito’s consistency but needs depth to hang with the AL East beasts like the Yankees and Orioles. At second, it’s Campbell’s last stand—if he flops Tuesday, Hamilton’s the default, and the Bregman-Devers dance gets a little less graceful. The roster’s at 52 now, but by Friday, expect it closer to 40, with the final 26-man squad crystalizing fast. The Red Sox aren’t messing around—they’ve got eyes on October, and these cuts are the first step to trimming the fat.
Picture this: Opening Day at Fenway, Fitts toeing the rubber, Newcomb ready in the pen, and Hamilton turning a double play while Campbell watches from Worcester. Or maybe Campbell rakes Tuesday, snags second, and Devers settles in at DH with Bregman locking down third. Either way, the next 48 hours are huge—Boston’s roster roulette’s spinning, and Cora’s about to call his shots.
