Pawtucket Red Sox preview as Owens shines in debut

NON-ROSTER POTENTIAL

The sad saga of Allen Craig needs no repeating as the 31-year-old right-handed hitter has done little of merit except cash about nine million a year in payroll checks.  The redeeming feature that may give a glimmer of payroll relief is .275 spring average, but like Craig’s 2015 season there is a power outage with no home runs and a mere three RBI in the spring.

Brennan Boesch hit .303 in the spring until injury put him on the DL. Boesch is an excellent outfielder with five years MLB experience and if the stars align in Pawtucket when he returns, he could have value in Boston or elsewhere.

That Josh Rutledge remains in Pawtucket is a mystery to be.  The utility infielder had a nice introduction to Boston in 2015 by hitting .284 in 39 games.  Rutledge – now 26-years-old – is a right-handed hitter who could fill a utility role in Boston or elsewhere.

Anthony Varvaro had a 5.63 ERA in the spring and does have a few productive seasons on his baseball resume with the Atlanta Braves. Varvaro will only be in Boston (and elsewhere) if he becomes a lights out bullpen artist in Pawtucket. Don’t hold your breath on that.

Sean O’Sullivan went 1-6 in 13 starts with Philadelphia in 2015 and a 6.08 ERA explains that record. O’Sullivan – a 28-year-old right-hander – will be in the PawSox rotation and a positive performance could mean value – but probably not in Boston.

Next: Red Sox Knock Out Dickey

I had no idea the Red Sox had signed Justin Maxwell, who is most noted for prodigious home runs and equally prodigious strikeout totals. An MLB .220 hitter with four different teams the 32-year-old right-handed hitter never quite got to the promise land predicted for him.

Ryan LaMarre equals a famed baseball equation: Good field and no hit.  The 27-year-old left-hand hitter has a .261 minor league career average with little power.