Scott Atchison Clears Waivers, Gets Another Chance with Red Sox

Scott Atchison is 35-years old and has had a Major League career filled with ups and downs.  Probably more downs with his minor league stints making up most of his career.  If he was hoping the 2012 season would be the year that he stuck with big club and could make an impact, that dream was shattered when he was designated for assignment a few weeks back to make room for newly signed Cody Ross.

It now appears Atchison is going to get one more chance, although this one, like his career, won’t be easy.

Maureen Mullen of CSN New England reported via Twitter that Atchison had cleared waivers and the Red Sox out righted him to AAA Pawtucket.  That’s no surprise given the Red Sox 40-man roster is full with not even room for a church mouse.  Atchison did however get an invite to Spring Training where it will once again be up to the veteran to showcase his skills and play his way onto the big club.

Last year Atchison appeared in 30.1 innings, posted a 3.26 ERA, a 5.0K/9 and 1.8BB/9 with the Red Sox.  In AAA he worked in 61.1 innings, sported a 2.64 ERA, 10.6K/9 and 1.3BB/9.  Clearly he can be effective.

But is he a career minor leaguer?  With numbers like those it’s no surprise he was recalled to the Majors on more than one occasion.  Even his MLB numbers are pretty good for a middle reliever.  But as everyone in baseball knows, sometimes good isn’t good enough.  Atchison is hoping this time will be different.

Should Atchison crack the lineup the Red Sox will have some heavy decisions to make.  Currently, Andrew Miller, Felix Doubront and Michael Bowden are out of options and are in line to start the season in the bulllpen.  Surely one of them would be scooped if they were designated for assignment, once again stacking the odds against Atchison.

But he’s been in this situation before.  In all likelihood he’ll start the season in AAA patiently waiting for the phone to ring to hear that he’s been recalled to the big leagues.  Injury or poor performances will give him another shot and when that call comes he’ll be given the opportunity to stay. The rest is up to him.

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