Sox Roster Ripe For More Moves

It’s not quite 40 days and 40 nights but 39 days until pitchers and catchers report is close enough. In the meantime Boston has some work to do – both important and of the housekeeping variety.

September 17, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (39) on deck to bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

First, from the story that wont die category, comes – dare I say it – Mike Napoli. This 30+ day saga is again being linked with Adam LaRoche as Boston’s plan B should Boston and Napoli not come to terms. Boston management and Napoli’s agent simply aren’t saying anything save for that the details are being worked out. Meanwhile, other media sources continue to report that Boston is working a back channel with LaRoche. Why wouldn’t they? This is business, right? If only Napoli’s hip could talk.

Boston also has nine arbitration-eligible players – Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Bailey, Daniel Bard, Craig Breslow, Jacoby Ellsbury, Joel Hanrahan, Franklin Morales, Andrew Miller and Jarrod Saltalamacchia – who have been offered contracts so essentially they are signed. The players simply need to agree to terms for the 2013 season at this point.

Some of these players – Aceves, Breslow, Miller and Saltalamacchia in particular – must be considered in a trade if Boston wants to secure another quality starting pitcher. And talk about the land that time forgot. Do Alan Webster or Rubby De La Rosa have any play at all in this equation? Spring training will be their proving ground.

I do like the way the infield is playing out. Dustin Pedroia, Pedro Ciriaco, Stephen Drew, Will Middlebrooks, Mauro Gomez, Brock Holt and Jose Iglesias comprise a solid nucleus that sports a little pop and some solid defense. If only a first baseman could be secured. I digress…

I’m gonna move away from here
You can find me if you want to go there
I’m gonna move away from here
You can find me if you want to go there
– Gonna Move, Susan Tedeschi