Red Sox: Predictions for biggest roster battles of spring training

Back up utility player: Brock Holt vs Deven Marrero vs Blake Swihart

With the Red Sox signing of Eduardo Nunez, that leaves them without the immediate need for another utility player. Nunez will fill that role, and may be able to step into the outfield some in 2018.

But injuries and slumps happen, which mean the Red Sox will need a backup utility player. For the most part, there are three players vying for that opportunity: Brock Holt, Deven Marrero, and Blake Swihart.

Now, assuming the above prediction is correct, Swihart will likely find a role on the team as a catcher in some capacity. You would think that would make the decision between Holt and Marrero easier.

Not so fast.

Marrero has been touted as having one of the best gloves in the Red Sox farm system. We saw glimpses of that in his time in the bigs last year. But at the dish is a different story.

If the offense was equal, it would be a no-brainer for the Red Sox. They would take Marrero over Holt, and likely trade Holt somewhere to shed his $2.23MM contract. But the offense is not equal. As a matter of fact, it is very lopsided.

2017 was difficult for Holt, mainly because he battled vertigo for a majority last year. The offensive production took a dip, as a matter of fact, it was almost 160 points off his OPS. Holt is so much better than the player he was last year, and we can expect to see that this year.

Marrero brings plus defense, but what he lacks at the plate hurts even more. Holt is not a gold glover, but he is a good defender.

This one should be easy for the Red Sox.

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Prediction: Brock Holt backs up Eduardo Nunez as the utility man. But in his plate appearances, Holt raises his average to around .260. Deven Marrero bounces back and forth between Pawtucket and Boston.