Who is next up on the potential Red Sox roster changes?
By Rick McNair
I doubt you will see a diaspora from the Red Sox roster, but a few more changes may take place for the final products push to the playoffs.
Who’s next? I guess the changes had to come and they did with the sudden departure of Hanley Ramirez. A surprise? Not after the exit of Pablo Sandoval. The Boston Red Sox will make the moves necessary to strengthen the team. And, quite naturally, the strengthen portion is open for debate. So, just who’s next?
My first selection would be Brian Johnson. Time has run out and when Tyler Thornburg is ready I would expect the once-promising lefty to go via a trade or just another DFA. You hate to cut pitching but Hector Velazquez and Steven Wright are far more reliable.
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Will Jackie Bradley survive? The wasted internet ink on JBJ would fill an inland sea, but somewhere there may be a taker. Maybe a swap for another outfielder? Maybe a prospect? Maybe a pitcher with a pulse? Of course, Bradley has the ultimate lifeline – getting as hot as a cheap pellet stove in winter.
Drew Pomeranz is going to be a free agent. Pomeranz has been rough around the edges all season long. Is it injury related? And that means Velazquez and Wright waiting in the background with special emphasis on Wright. The knuckleball pitcher gives some quality mound work and Boston could be tempted.
With Ramirez gone, maybe Blake Swihart will be dusted off and brought into the dugout from whatever dustbin management has him stored. Then just where do you play him? Christian Vazquez and especially Sandy Leon have both recently discovered that the bat is used for hitting the ball. And with Brock Holt around first base and a backup outfielder is covered.
Either Holt or Eduardo Nunez could become available for a team on the hunt for a regular, preferably for infield duty. The down part in the is Tzu-Wei Lin is just not hitting at Triple-A Pawtucket. Someone would have to make an offer that could not be refused.
Next: Hanley Ramirez designated for assignment
Heath Hembree would be a long shot dependent upon Carson Smith and Thornburg. Hembree and Matt Barnes vie for the bridge to Joe Kelly and it appears that Barnes has manager Alex Cora’s confidence edge. A Hembree departure would be a surprise, but think a package deal with Bradley for another bullpen arm upgrade.