Red Sox roster situation with utility player Blake Swihart
The Boston Red Sox have limited roster spots. With players returning from the DL, somebody has to go and Swihart might be the one.
A once promising prospect who many considered the next great catcher for the Boston Red Sox is now struggling to keep a roster spot. With players coming off the disabled list, Blake Swihart looks to be the odd man out.
Swihart has seen limited action this year. He has appeared in 15 games and his numbers are abysmal. He is batting .138 with four hits and seven strikeouts. His trade value is basically nothing right now and the Red Sox need to figure out what to do. He is out of minor league options which restricts the team from sending him down to Pawtucket.
The Red Sox are most likely looking to strike a deal with another team so they don’t have to straight up release Swihart. They are probably just looking to get a low-level prospect but most teams won’t bite because they know the situation the Red Sox are in.
He started the game yesterday to get Jackie Bradley out of the lineup against a left-handed pitcher. With a chance to prove himself, Swihart went 0-for-4. Not the outcome the Red Sox and Swihart had envisioned.
Live look at Blake Swihart seeing his name on the lineup card pic.twitter.com/uAem6Z1kQz
— Dan O'Mara (@Dan_OMara) May 14, 2018
Teams interested in Swihart might still see an upside to his game. He is only 26 years old and can play outfield, catcher and is also a switch-hitter. Swihart is on the right side of 30 to make a comeback in his career.
The Red Sox are having other issues outside of Swihart. The bullpen has looked unsteady in the early part of the season. With Tyler Thornburg in Pawtucket working his way back from recovery will he be the one to bump Swihart?
Next: 5 players on the roster bubble
Releasing Swihart would be the worse case scenario because you never want to release a player for nothing. Looking at a bigger picture and realizing his trade value is nothing, releasing Swihart would be best for the Red Sox. Ending this marriage between both parties would be beneficial as a fresh start is needed for Swihart and the Red Sox.