Cora: Winckowski could be a candidate for starting rotation
The Red Sox are expected to add multiple starting pitchers to bolster their rotation this winter, but until they actually do the club is also preparing its younger arms to shoulder the load.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Alex Cora said they’ll be stretching out Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck, and presumably Kutter Crawford as well, but the Red Sox manager also made a point to highlight Josh Winckowski as a guy to watch, too.
“(Winckowski is) somebody that towards the end of the season I viewed more as a reliever than a starter, but with the information provided and the new group, there’s a new vision with him,” Cora said. “I’m not saying he’s going to be a starter but he’s a guy that can go multiple innings with his stuff and the characteristics of his pitches against lefties and righties. So stretch everybody out, that’s what they’re working at and we’ll see what happens in the upcoming weeks and months.”
Acquired in the Andrew Benintendi trade, Winckowski made his big league debut as a starting pitcher for the Red Sox in 2022 and pitched primarily out of the rotation that season. The right-hander posted a 5.89 ERA over 70.1 innings, and the following season he was moved to the bullpen and found greater success as a multi-inning reliever. Last season he appeared in 60 games, posted a 2.88 ERA over 84.1 innings and saw his strikeout rate explode from 13.9% in 2022 to 22.3% in 2023.
The club’s plans for Winckowski was among a number of topics Cora touched on during his press conference.
Cora said he’s spent a good portion of the offseason traveling to visit with his returning Red Sox players, saying he recently met with a group of six or seven players in Fort Myers, including Chris Sale, and that he also saw Rafael Devers in the Dominican Republic recently and plans to go back to visit Brayan Bello and several others as well.
In January he will also attend an infield bootcamp being hosted by Trevor Story, who plans to gather the other Red Sox infielders in hopes of helping elevate everyone’s defensive play. Cora praised Story’s defensive abilities, saying despite his struggles coming back from elbow surgery he was still among the best defensive shortstops in baseball from August onward.
Once spring training begins Cora said they also plan to place a greater emphasis on decision-making, saying they will implement high-pressure drills that force players to make quick decisions to better prepare for the speed of the game.
Beyond that, if there’s one overarching area he wants the Red Sox to do a better job at this year, it’s competing.
“You might see a big group in the bowling alley, or a big group at Topgolf, or in the escape rooms, we’re going to compete the whole time,” Cora said.