Friday night's Red Sox win offered a few lessons for those trying to define the existence of both players and teams in March.
Romy Gonzalez, for instance, was told early on in spring training that he would be undergoing shoulder surgery that wouldn't allow him to play for more than three months. "It's a long season," the infielder said while coming to grips with his 2026 path, walking through the Sox's spring training clubhouse.
Sure enough.
The guy who didn't sniff a Grapefruit League game ended up serving as one of the heroes in the Red Sox's latest win, a 6-4 victory over the Blue Jays in which Gonzalez came off the bench to pay off Chad Tracy's decision to pinch-hit him for Connor Wong by ripping a game-winning RBI eighth-inning double.
And then there was Anthony Seigler.
Other than some initial curiosity stemming from being part of the Red Sox's six-player trade from the Brewers, few at JetBlue Park took notice of Seigler. There was some interest considering he was a former first-round pick, taken three spots in front of Triston Casas. And the fact that the former catcher could throw with both hands raised some eyebrows. But because of a left knee injury, actually watching Seigler play wasn't really an option.
Fortunately for the Red Sox, that opportunity ultimately came. And when it did, it has been hard to look away.
Seigler once again defined himself as one of the most notable differences during this stretch of winning 21 of the last 24 games, going 4-for-5 against the Blue Jays, including the first first-inning, leadoff home run in his 27 years on this planet.
In the constant search for an explanation of how the Red Sox have landed in this spot as the second wild card team and four games over .500, Seigler's name should be at the top of the list. Whether it's because of actual production - hitting safely in 16 of his last 23 games - or the organic energy and attitude Seigler exudes, the second baseman has been a huge part of the solution.
In the 27 games Seigler has started, the Red Sox have won 20 of them. Case closed.
Is Seigler's emergence enough for the Red Sox not to prioritize middle infield help? Considering they are still fifth-to-last of MLB teams in OPS out of the second base spot, with their leadoff hitters' OPS sitting at second from the bottom, maybe not. But the switch-hitter is at least making things interesting.
It might be a bit much to suggest Seigler saved the Red Sox's season. But he sure did change the narrative, both for himself and his new team.
"He's been tremendous," said the Red Sox's interim manager. "He’s scuffled a little bit here recently, but comes right back and has a heck of a game. Takes a bunch of quality at-bats for us today. So, big spark."
“Sparky," said Red Sox starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval. "That’s our spark plug right there."
