Red Sox 40-man roster slots: Who goes?

Oct 2, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Jonathan Aro (65) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Red Sox need to protect certain players by moving them to the 40-man roster to prevent any rule 5 losses. Marco Hernandez, acquired as a PTBNL for Felix Doubront, is one such player. An impressive season at Portland and Pawtucket certainly has moved Hernandez up in the eyes of the scouting department.

Trades are always a possibility. The rumor mill is rampant with various scenarios concocted in which the Red Sox acquire an ace or a notable talent and moves have already begun. You need a space in a deal in which more bodies arrive than exit so a personnel shift takes place.

The roster is in constant flux during the season, before the season and certainly after the season. A once can’t miss has done just that – missed – so out the door. The 40-man roster represents players who could be called up during the season since they have major-league contracts. The minor league players are viewed as being on “optional assignment.”

Baseball Almanac provides an excellent summary of the roster process and roster history, but the Red Sox – like every MLB team – is in a mode where slots have to be opened. In the real world, you are essentially fired, dismissed, canned or any other euphemism.

So just who is vulnerable?

Mar 15, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielder Byrce Brentz (73) warms up before hitting in the batting cage before the start of the spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Bryce Brentz: A first round selection gets extra time to develop and a first round selection with a potential power bat from the right side will get that to almost an obscene nth degree. Brentz, now 27-years-old, has run out of time.

If there is any good news for Brentz is that MLB 40-man slot meant $508,000 MLB minimum for 2015 while playing at Pawtucket. Brentz is a capable defender with a strong and accurate arm. For the last place PawSox, Brentz represented one of the few power options with eight home runs. That, however, was in 59 games as injuries limited Brentz.

Brentz burst upon the scene in 2011 with a slash of .306/.365/.574 and 30 home runs and 94 RBI at Greenville and Salem. Since that time, Brentz has stalled. A shooting accident, injuries and the increased quality of pitching has stifled his advance. A brief stay in Boston in 2014 of nine games just may represent his once promising career.

Mar 7, 2015; Sarasota, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Garin Cecchini (70) at bat against the Baltimore Orioles at a spring training baseball game at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Garin Cecchini: What happened? The powerful left-handed bat of Cecchini seems to have melted like a strawberry sundae at noon in the Sahara Desert. This was a player I thought would be the Boston version of Alex Gordon.

I have seen Cecchini play many times at Pawtucket the last two seasons and I am mystified by his hitting or lack of hitting. An average third baseman with the glove, Cecchini has moved around the diamond with Pawtucket and even saw duty at first base. Versatility can save a career, but poor offensive skills cannot.

The former fourth round pick (2010) slashed .213/.286/.296 at Pawtucket and the early career and very notable gap power Cecchini displayed has become about as extinct as Pterodactyls. A mere 14 doubles in 117 games for a player that was a doubles machine so personified in his early career.

At 24-years-old, there is still hope. Cecchini is mentioned as a throw-in in various deals being whisked about and I certainly hope that happens. Maybe a change of scenery? Maybe a bit more seasoning? But for Boston the door seems closed with too many other and more promising talent options available.

Mar 12, 2015; Bradenton, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Sean Coyle (80) waits for the ball during a spring training baseball game at McKechnie Field. The Boston Red Sox beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Coyle is another infielder who has hit a developmental brick wall in 2015 at Pawtucket. The diminutive Coyle (5’8”) had some injury issue that (hopefully) were what resulted in a dismal slash of .159/.274/.302 after a very impressive 2014 with Portland.

With Portland, the power was evident with 16 home runs and 61 RBI. The above-average speed showed 13 steals in 14 attempts with the Sea Dogs and the defense was certainly above-average for the second baseman. Yes – there were comparisons to Dustin Pedroia in both Coyle’s size and ability.

Coyle will be 24-years-old as the 2016 season begins. Fast rising on the prospect chart are several other infielders such as Marco Hernandez, Mauricio Dubon and Wendell Rijo who are all capable of playing second. But the real road block is one Yoan Moncada.

The Red Sox opened up the vault for Moncada and he projects at either second base or the outfield. So with the depth in the minors, Pedroia signed until the next decade and Moncada getting a huge bonus the future is suddenly dim for Coyle.