Brentz makes Pitt stop
PawSox fave goes to Pirates for cash
FORT MYERS — The Pittsburgh Pirates should be able to give Bryce Brentz a chance.
The Red Sox never did. Yesterday, the Sox ended their long tenure with Brentz, the right-handed hitting outfielder who they drafted in the first round in 2010, when Theo Epstein was still running the club.
Brentz, 29, was traded to the Pirates in exchange for cash considerations.
Brentz had two cups of coffee with the Sox in 2014 and ’16, hitting .287 with a .690 OPS and one homer in 90 plate appearances.
He spent the majority of time in the organization with Triple-A Pawtucket, becoming one of the faces of the team over six seasons. Brentz amassed 1,590
plate appearances over 352 games in Pawtucket.
Known for his power, he hit .254 with a .779 OPS with 73 homers, including 31 last year, when he had his breakout season as a 28-year-old.
But the Red Sox had no room for him in September, instead using Chris Young as their extra outfielder who could hit left-handed pitching, and Brentz never got a chance with the big league team.
He put in extra time this offseason, playing 25 games for Hermosilla in the Mexican Pacific Winter League, hitting .207 with seven homers.
This spring, it was a longshot for Brentz to make a crowded roster that already has four utility players vying for bench spots behind the three starting outfielders, J.D. Martinez, Mitch Moreland, Hanley Ramirez and Eduardo Nunez.
He could have a chance to make the Opening Day roster for the Pirates, who have a thin outfield after sending franchise icon Andrew McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants this offseason.
The Red Sox will likely go into the season without a true fourth outfielder.
“We’ve got guys that can play the infield and can play the outfield,” manager Alex Cora said. “I’m comfortable with that. I’m comfortable with a roster that’s very versatile. That’s very important. Guys that can complement each other.
“I’ve been talking about rest the whole week. It’s very important with the traveling and schedule and workload, it’s very important to have versatile players on your roster.”
Trade partners
Ramirez and Mike Lowell were traded for one another in a blockbuster deal that included seven players from the Red Sox and Florida Marlins in 2005.
Yesterday, they were on the same field together as Lowell, a former third baseman, drove up from Miami to spend time with some of the young Sox.
“That’s how the game works,” Ramirez said. “It feels really weird when you say that (we were traded for each other), but at the same time it’s good to see him at that locker and it’s good for everybody.”
Lowell, who will be in camp for two more days, spent a lot of his time nurturing 21-year-old third baseman Rafael Devers.
“Mikey kept telling me last night he doesn’t want to step on anybody’s toes, and I’m like, ‘You’re fine,’” Cora said. “(Fielding coach Carlos Febles) was a good player, a good defensive player. He had no problem with Mikey being around and he’d seen some video and we see the same player (in Devers).
“Good footwork and a few adjustments that’s part of being young. He went through all the errors and all the big plays. He has a great arm. Great feet, the hands are going to follow the feet it’s just a matter of he got caught up a few times and when he had more time than usual took his time and let it fly. That’s why he let it bounce a few times. It was a good conversation, they connected and the fact that Rafi knew who Mikey was is pretty cool.”
Let the games begin
Cora announced his starting pitchers for the first two spring training games tomorrow.
Left-handed prospect Jalen Beeks will start the opener against Northeastern and right-hander Chandler Shepherd will start against Boston College. Both pitchers were added to the 40man roster in November, though they’re expected to begin the year in Pawtucket.
The Red Sox regular starters are being held out the first time through the rotation, because the Grapefruit League schedule started earlier this year after just three full days of workouts.
Tomorrow’s games will be televised on NESN and Channel 25 as part of their new partnership. Of the Sox’ 35 spring games, 14 will be on NESN, and six of those will also be on Ch. 25.