Decision Time: Sweeney and Aceves On The Bubble
We can break this one down quickly. All players currently unsigned must be offered a contract by 11:59 pm EST this Friday. If the players become non-tendered they are automatically free agents. Here’s where you need to pay a little closer attention. If an unsigned player who has at least three years of service time but fewer than six years is tendered a contract, they become arbitration eligible.
Aug 18, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher
Alfredo Aceves(91) gestures during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Boston won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE
Ryan Sweeney, Alfredo Aceves, Scott Atchison and Rich Hill do not have contracts. That will make the next 24-hours very interesting for them.
Personally, I think both Aceves and Sweeney are gone. Although one of Boston’s more effective pitchers, especially in the first half of last season, Aceves simply has too much baggage. If John Farrell and Ben Cherington are serious about sending a message, they should send Aceves packing. No enough consistency. Not a team player. Too much nuttiness. If Boston wants to play it cute they could tender a contract and take their chances in arbitration with Aceves rather than potentially letting him walk.
Sweeney is more than gone. He’s never been a power hitting corner outfielder, broke his hand hitting a club house door that ended his season in 2012 (duh!) and with the arrival of Jonny Gomes and the Sox continued interest in Cody Ross, is decidedly the fifth wheel.
Hill has had health problems and more than likely will not be tendered. Until 2012 Atchison too was very durable. Last summer he sustained a right ulnar collateral ligament injury that didn’t require surgery. Atchison is 36, which may tilt the Sox toward a non-tender for him as well.
Some sunny day-hay baby
When everything seems okay, baby
Youll wake up and find out youre alone
Cause Ill be gone
Gone, gone, gone really gone
Gone, ga-gone, cause you done me wrong
– Gone Gone Gone, Alison Krauss