Boston Red Sox: 2017 salary arbitration projections
By Sean Penney
Probable to receive an offer
These players may not be starters, but should still fill important roles next season.
Brock Holt
Projected salary: $1.7 million
2016 was a bit of a step back from his All-Star season a year ago, but the Brock Star will certainly be welcomed back. His versatility is invaluable, as it gives the Red Sox flexibility in filling out the roster knowing they can rely on Holt to fill in at virtually any position. Boston will enter spring training with uncertainty at third base, so Holt may be relied on as a potential starter given that the team turned to him to take over at the hot corner down the stretch.
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Joe Kelly
Projected salary: $2.6 million
Kelly would have been a long shot based on early season returns, but his career was revitalized after a transition to the bullpen. The 28-year old was hammered in his six starts to the tune of an 8.46 ERA that earned him a trip back to Pawtucket. It was there that he began the long overdue process of converting into a reliever. Kelly returned to the Red Sox late in the season, posting a stellar 1.02 ERA in 17 2/3 innings of relief, followed by 3 2/3 shutout innings in the postseason. Expect Kelly to be back in the bullpen next year, possibly in an 8th inning setup role that would make him well worth this salary.
Robbie Ross
Projected salary: $1.8 million
Ross had a solid season, posting a 3.25 ERA in 55 1/3 innings, which was the second-highest workload among Red Sox relievers. He held left-handed hitters to a .188 average and .545 OPS, so a bullpen short on reliable lefties will need him.