“We know the player, we know the at-bats. “If Travis is here, he’s not going to face too many lefties,” Cora said. Cora discounts Shaw’s spring numbers because he has faced a number of left-handed pitchers so far. Still, he’s a candidate to earn a bench spot as a left-handed complement to Bobby Dalbec. Shaw re-signed with the Red Sox a few days into camp and is 0 for 17 with seven strikeouts in exhibition play this spring. Another veteran who last year, stuff-wise, he was really good.” Obviously, at the end, roster spots and all that will come into play regardless of if it was 28 roster spots or 26. He looks in great shape,” Manager Alex Cora said Thursday. “He got here late and he was behind but obviously, a veteran guy. Holland, a 13-year big-league veteran, is vying for a bullpen spot after posting a 5.07 ERA for Detroit last season. Holland and Shaw are squarely in the mix for Opening Day roster spots and are candidates to opt out. Robles, who just arrived in Fort Myers on Thursday after dealing with visa issues, isn’t really impacted by Saturday’s deadline and is likely to be part of Boston’s big league bullpen once he is deemed ready. If Shaw, Holland or Robles were to stay with the Red Sox at Triple-A, they’d have another opt-out opportunity on May 1 and again on June 1.
If the Red Sox decline to add a player, he can either hit free agency or remain with the organization at Triple-A Worcester. That deadline is Saturday, meaning the Red Sox must decide whether to add those players to their roster well before they face the Yankees on Thursday. The new collective bargaining agreement streamlined the process a bit, giving a certain class of players - XX(B) free agents, who have at least six years of service time and signed minor league deals - an opt out five days before Opening Day. Opt-outs are commonplace this time of year for players who sign minor-league deals during the offseason. It’s currently unclear if other players, like infielder Yolmer Sánchez or outfielders Rob Refsnyder and Christin Stewart can opt out. Boston may still want to see what he can do against big league pitchers after growing sick of Dalbec.Reliever Tyler Danish, who is also in camp as a nonroster invitee, can also opt out that day. It might not matter if he’s hot in Triple-A or not. Working against him is the number one prospect in the system Triston Casas, a first baseman. Working in his favor could be a preference for a lefty/righty platoon at first base with Dalbec getting starts against left-handed pitchers. While some of his teammates climb out of their early slumps, he remains stuck in his and losing playing time. 240/.298/.494 slash line.ĭalbec is putting up even worse numbers this year. He showed an ability to hit for power last year, smacking 25 home runs in 453 trips to the plate. The third-year first baseman might be the most frustrating player on the roster. If you’ve followed the Red Sox whatsoever, you understand exactly what that means. With Franchy Cordero getting some opportunities to play first base in his place-and producing when he does - Dalbec’s time on the Red Sox could come to a temporary ending soon.ĭalbec is having another one of those years. The Red Sox will grow tired of Bobby Dalbec and demote himīobby Dalbec might be the most high-profile Red Sox player whose roster spot is lost first. This means demotions, DFAs, and promotion players to fill a need.īy July 1, Red Sox fans should expect these three players to be gone. In order to remain competitive, the Red Sox are going to need to make the tough decisions with their roster. They are a credible ball club now with a chance to become this year’s version of the 2019 Washington Nationals.
The Boston Red Sox are like Frankenstein’s monster alive! Their rough start seems to have been put in the past as the club roars up the standings and the MLB Power Rankings. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)īoston Red Sox fans shouldn’t get attached to these three players because they will be off the roster by July 1. BOSTON, MA – MAY 7: Bobby Dalbec #29 of the Boston Red Sox stands at first base during the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park on in Boston, Massachusetts.