Wheeler & Atchison Passed On for Potential Draft Picks

The Red Sox continue to make decisions surrounding their pending free agents.  The club decided to pass on the team options for both Dan Wheeler and Scott Atchison making them eligible for free agency. 

Things could get interesting should the Red Sox try and secure a draft pick for Wheeler.  Because Wheeler is a type-B free agent, the only way Boston could get compensation for the right handed reliever is to offer him arbitration.  The Sox could also choose to bring Wheeler back at a lower price via an arbitration offer and considering the state of the Sox bullpen right now, that might not be out of the question.  Wheeler struggled to find a spot in the pen last year and was often nagged by injury.  He signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox during the previous offseason as a free agent after spending time in Tampa Bay.

This could be one way to help replenish the farm system, by acquiring draft picks for some players who may not have a fit on this club.

Atchison on the other hand appears to be a decision based around dollars.  The seasoned veteran does not qualify for arbitration due to a lack of service time.  He may be a cheap alternative for the Sox pen, providing he can prove he has some gas left in his tank.

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