Race to 25: Update on the Red Sox Roster Battles
Entering Spring Training, there were a lot of questions about what the Red Sox 25-man roster would look like, as well as the roles on the roster.
Throughout the Spring, I will be providing you with weekly updates on these rosters battles, which include the following:
- The fifth spot in the starting rotation;
- The sixth spot in the bullpen (LHP);
- The seventh spot in the bullpen (RHP);
- Starting at third base;
- Starting at left field; and
- Eighth inning role;
As for every one of the roster battles this Spring, you must take into account that John Farrell‘s seat could not be hotter, and that was before last night’s story broke. There is a reason why the Red Sox made the decision to pay Torey Lovullo (bench coach) a manager’s salary.
Therefore, although it has only been a week and there have only been a marginal amount of at-bats and innings pitched, John Farrell is going to consider everything before making decisions that could have the potential of costing him his job.
Next: 5th rotation spot
The Fifth Spot in the Rotation
What happened this week?
As previously discussed here at Bosox Injection, John Farrell opened up the competition for the fifth spot in the rotation earlier this Spring, with the two likely candidates being Joe Kelly and Henry Owens. Both Kelly and Owens have made a start this Spring.
Owens started the opener against the Minnesota Twins. Although he was inconsistent with his fastball velocity and command, which resulted in two hits and two walks, Owens completed his two innings without surrendering a run. Also, quite impressively, five of the six outs Owens registered were by strikeout.
Kelly started Friday night’s game against the Tampa Rays. He also pitched two scoreless innings, surrendering two hits and one walk and registering one strikeout.
Who won the week?
Eyes may roll at the suggestion these innings matter, but they do. Do they matter as much as Owens and Kelly’s starts later this Spring once they are stretched out and pitching five to six innings? No, they do not, but these innings served the purpose of setting the tone of the competition.
The winner of this week’s games was Henry Owens. His five strikeouts, many with runners threatening, were impressive. Keeping his composure in order to get big outs with runners on base was something Owens struggled with last year, which is why he had three outings where he surrendered seven runs or more.
Owens is going to win this competition in one of the following ways: (1) Kelly is solid, but Owens shows he can be dominant in his innings; or (2) Kelly has a terrible Spring and Owens is merely good. Every week Owens can point to one of those two scenarios happening is a win for him and this past week he demonstrated he is capable of being dominant with five strikeouts in only two innings of work.
Next: Sixth Bullpen Spot
Sixth Spot in the Bullpen (LHP)
The Red Sox are looking to have two left-handers relievers, but currently only have one in their projected bullpen: Robbie Ross, Jr. The other spot is going to be filled by either Tommy Layne, who is out of minor league options, and Roenis Elias, who the Red Sox acquired from the Mariners in the Wade Miley trade earlier this offseason.
What happened this week?
Tommy Layne pitched an inning in the Red Sox Spring Training opener against the Twins. He gave up two hits and one run. Layne returned to action yesterday to pitch a scoreless inning against the Yankees. His current stat line is 2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K.
Who won this week?
With Elias yet to get in any work, Layne won the week. In fact, no other left-handed specialist type has even pitched an inning this Spring. As of now, Layne, who would have to be designated for assignment or accept an outright to Pawtucket if he did not make the team, looks like the clear-cut favorite.
Next: Seventh Bullpen Spot
Seventh Spot in the Bullpen (RHP)
The final spot in the Red Sox bullpen will go to a right-hander capable of working multiple innings, but it remains unclear if that is a requirement for the spot. As of now, the competition for this spot is strong, including the prohibited favorites, Steven Wright and Matt Barnes. However, this is subject to development as the Spring goes on and guys like Carlos Marmol, Noe Ramirez and Pat Light try to establish themselves for consideration.
What happened this week?
Wright has started two games for the Red Sox this Spring. He pitched two innings in the team’s exhibition against Boston College and three innings against the Yankees yesterday. Against the college hitters, Wright was great, giving up two hits, but registering four strikeouts. However, against the Yankees, he struggled. In his three innings, he gave up five hits, including a HR, and two earned runs. Wright’s current stat line this Spring: 5 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K.
Barnes has been solid in his two appearances this Spring. He pitched a clean inning against Boston College, registering one strikeout, and a scoreless inning against the Twins, where he gave up two hits, but struck out two batters. Barnes’ current stat line this Spring: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K.
Who won the week?
It has to be Barnes. Although Wright looked good against Boston College, he struggle in yesterday’s outing against the Yankees, and while he is the favorite for this spot due to the fact he is out of minor league options, the Red Sox are not going to hand him the spot on that fact alone. Wright will have to earn it, especially with a pitcher like Barnes chasing him, as Barnes is capable of dialing up his fastball to the high 90s and that is something GM Dave Dombrowkski prefers from his pitching.
Next: Starting Third Baseman
Starting Third Baseman
As stated at the top, John Farrell is going to be managing with a small sense of urgency. In fact, it can be argued the team is going to be run with a small set of urgency after two last place finishes in a row in the AL East. Thus, if Pablo Sandoval and Travis Shaw look this Spring like they did in 2015, Shaw, who has played both corner infield spots before, may supplant Sandoval as the starting third baseman on opening day.
What happened this week?
Sandoval and Shaw each appeared in one of the college exhibition games on Tuesday. Sandoval played the opener against Boston College and struggled, as he misplayed a ball at third and was 0-for-2 at the plate, leaving four men on base. Shaw played against Northeastern and went 2-for-3, with a double, single and two RBIs.
Since then, both Sandoval and Shaw have played in two more games. Sandoval went o-for-4 in his two as he continues to look for his first hit of the Spring, while Shaw went 2-for-5 with a double and a walk.
Overall, Sandoval is 0-for-6 and Shaw is 4-for-8 at the plate. Defensively, Shaw has looked just as good as Sandoval playing the position.
Who won the week?
Shaw easily won the week, but let’s be very clear in that he will have to win every week by a wide margin this Spring in order to replace Sandoval as the starting third baseman before Opening Day.
Next: Starting Left Fielder
Starting Left Fielder
Although Rusney Castillo opens up camp as the projected starting left fielder this season and no competition has been officially opened up, or even hinted at, by anyone in the organization, Castillo’s job is less safe than any other position player on the roster, which is saying something with Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez manning the corner infield spots. The reason being Castillo has next to no track record of success in the major leagues and is constantly dealing with nagging injuries, as was the case earlier this Spring.
Not only is there concern surrounding Castillo, but others on the roster that are capable of playing left field may make a case for more time in the lineup and Castillo’s spot may be where the Red Sox look to make that happen. The players I speak of are Shaw, who was reportedly taking fly balls recently, Brock Holt and Chris Young.
What happened this week?
Castillo has appeared in only one game this Spring and went hitless in three at-bats, striking out once. As discussed above, Shaw has been extremely impressive this Spring, going 4-for-8, with two doubles and two RBIs. Young has appeared in three games and gone 0-for-6. Holt has appeared in three games and gone 1-for-6, with a run, walk and two RBIs.
Who won the week?
Shaw won here as well, but will the Red Sox give him innings at the position this Spring? They may have to, as it must be concerning that they have only been able to get one game out of Castillo so far this Spring. Moreover, Young is best used in a platoon situation and Holt is best when he is moving around and plugging in holes as the Red Sox utility player. Therefore, if Castillo struggles or cannot get on the field due to injury, and Shaw keeps hitting the way he is and needs a spot, where do they go? Maybe third base, but it may be easier to bench Castillo and play him here.
Next: Eighth Inning Role
Eighth Inning Set-up Man
Although many assume Koji Uehara will move from the ninth to the eighth inning this season, it is likely those people do not know who Carson Smith is. Smith was one of the best relievers in all of baseball last year and given he is more familiar with the eighth inning than Uehara, who knows where John Farrell may decide to pitch the two of them.
Regardless of how it sets up, the Red Sox will be tough to hit in the 7th, 8th and 9th innings, if all three are healthy at the start of the season.
What happened this week?
Uehara has yet to appear as he is not yet ready for game action, while Smith registered a 1-2-3 inning in his only appearance this Spring.
Next: Red Sox Reporter Resigns
Who won the week?
By default, Carson Smith.