I feel like management didn’t prepare the starters to be ready for Opening Day. It’s like they were two weeks into Spring Training and not the regular season. Is manager Alex Cora too buddy-buddy with the players? Can he be effective as manager if he isn’t tough on the players when need be?
-- Josh R., Orlando, Fla.

Your question is a very valid one, but consider this. The Red Sox used almost the same program with their starting pitchers last Spring Training. Only last year, the starters got off to a terrific start and never looked back. They were also fresh for the postseason, moving back and forth from the rotation to the bullpen. This year, they have started off inconsistently, so the approach is being second-guessed. The one similarity between the two years is that in both instances, Cora envisioned his team playing deep into October, and he is trying to position his players to be at their most effective for the games that count the most.

Cora might be willing to sacrifice some games early in the season in order to make that a reality. Last year, he got the best of both worlds as the team got off to a fast start and had a great finish. There’s no way we could have expected this year would go as smoothly. It’s simply not realistic.

It’s certainly fair to wonder if the pitchers haven’t been as sharp early in the season due to the lack of reps in Spring Training. Again, I think it’s a tradeoff Cora will take, given the way he hopes they will all be performing at the end.

As for Cora being too buddy-buddy with his players, I can assure you that is not an issue. Cora has established the type of trust with his players that allows him to be very honest with them. He is often critical of them and tells them things they don’t want to hear. If the pitchers had their choice, I’m guessing they would have been pitching a lot more in Spring Training. But they trusted Cora, and they didn’t question his plan.

Do you think fans are panicking unnecessarily? After all, if the Sox had come home from that 11-game road trip at 6-5 or even 5-6, nobody would have worried. Shouldn't we at least wait until April is over?
-- Tom N.

People are only panicking because they care. This is a team that went 108-54 last year, and then 11-3 in the World Series. They have almost all of the same players back. It was a little concerning to go 3-8 on the first road trip, but they have all kinds of time to recover. If they are equally disjointed on the opening homestand, then there might be true cause for concern. I’d recommend seeing how it goes over the next couple of weeks before making any real judgments.

When do the Sox move on from Dustin Pedroia?
-- Mark, Virginia

Can I ask you a question? Why such negativity before Dustin Pedroia has even taken his first official swing or fielded his first ground ball of the season? Since Spring Training, he has handled everything the team has thrown at him. It looks like his activation is imminent. Why not see how he does before you write him off? Also, Pedroia has three years left on his contract, so there is no compelling reason to move on from him. You might as well see what you can get out of him.

They should have Pedroia play Tuesday and bring him out for the ring ceremony, and maybe that will jump-start this team.
-- Johnny T.

I don’t dispute that Pedroia could be coming back at the perfect time, and his presence could give the team an emotional jolt at a time they need it. The key will be to make sure he stays healthy.

Which position player who is struggling now is about to get going soon? Are the Red Sox going to stay with the Matt Barnes/Ryan Brasier combo in the closer’s role?
-- Garrett, Florida

I’ll go with Jackie Bradley Jr. He did a lot of work with his swing in the offseason, and I’m guessing he will start getting results soon. As for your second question, I do see Matt Barnes and Ryan Brasier getting just about all of the closing opportunities. Cora is clearly going to use Barnes in high-leverage situations in the seventh and eighth when the need arises, and on those days, Brasier will get the ninth inning. So far, he has proven he can handle the responsibility.

How can the Sox not bring back Craig Kimbrel on a one-year deal? The guy is obviously legit, and they need pitching even though the bullpen has been solid so far.
-- @XxBosox12xX

First of all, I don’t recall Craig Kimbrel or his agent saying that he’d accept a one-year deal. Second of all, I think Cora likes going with matchups in his bullpen and managing to the situations of the game rather than saving that designated pitcher like Kimbrel for the ninth inning. The game is evolving, and the Red Sox seem to relishing the opportunity to get away from the designated closer.

Blake Swihart looks great behind the plate, and his bat has been good. Is there a real shot we will see him catch Chris Sale, David Price and Nathan Eovaldi, and not just Eduardo Rodriguez, Rick Porcello and the sixth starter?
-- Shane A.

The opportunity is definitely there for Blake Swihart to earn more playing time, especially if he keeps hitting. But it isn’t all about the bat. Whichever catcher is playing needs to expertly handle the pitchers. That is the most important part of the job. Cora will continue to evaluate the catching situation, and I think the division of playing time is still evolving.

Will J.D. Martinez opting out after the season help/push owners to reach extension agreement with Mookie Betts before hitting the free-agent market?
-- Sean, New Jersey

I don’t think the owners need pushing here. They’d love to bring Mookie Betts back for the long haul. I also think that he has an interest in getting to free agency, or at least close to it, and seeing what his maximum value is. Also, the J.D. Martinez situation is far from settled. Will he opt out or won’t he? Much of that probably depends on what kind of season he has this year and how healthy he stays. If Martinez doesn’t opt out this year, he also has the flexibility of doing it next year. I think the Red Sox would like him as the centerpiece of their lineup for the next many years.