The Boston Red Sox now have an expanded roster and that means an eclectic group of veterans and prospects added to the roster.
Is it the need for experienced depth or just a reward for being stored at Pawtucket (AAA) for the season? With September comes the MLB roster glut as teams call up hot-shot prospects or veterans for a wee bit of service time and a possible last chance at the post-game buffet. The Red Sox have started with some roster moves.
The Red Sox added catcher Juan Centeno to the roster and that is certainly no shock – and by the shock, it is not the player but the position. A catcher is always needed in the late-season spin the wheel of players and Centeno got the call.
This is not Centeno’s first rodeo as he has seen service time with a slew of MLB teams- Mets, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Houston, Texas and now Boston. Not bad for the 28-year-old lefty hitter who brings with him a career .227 average. At Pawtucket Centeno torched International League pitching for a more robust .248 while swatting four home runs.
Gorkys Hernandez got his just rewards for enjoying the IL with his recall. The 32-year-old outfielder has the usual travel resume of organizations – Pittsburgh (twice), Miami, Giants, and now Boston. Gorkys hits right-handed and brings to the roster his .234 career average and some occasional power with 15 home runs in 2018 for the Giants.
Hernandez did hit 16 home runs for the PawSox or soon to be Woo Sox which was fourth on the team. The downside or is it downslide is Hernandez’s .219 average. No shame in that since the PawSox finished dead last (.252) in the IL in team batting.
Then there is the promise of hope and that comes with the recent signing of righty Jhoulys Chacin that is discussed here. Unlike Centeno and Hernandez Chacin provides a glimmer of future hope since Chacin bagged 15 wins in 2018 with the Brewers. Expect some legitimate innings with the rotation now appearing to be a puzzle with several pieces missing.
The Red Sox also have added David Price who will now attempt to put some gloss on a season that is spewed with mud. Price will take his usual rotation spot. Michael Chavis may be or may not be on the roster since he has experienced some leg issues that are of minor concern. I think we went down the “minor concern” road with Dustin Pedroia?
The list as of this writing also included Hector Velazquez much to the delight of American League hitters. Hector is having a 1-4 season with a 5.81 ERA and that certainly has room for expansion for the 30-year-old righty.
The Red Sox also dipped into the pitching pool with the addition of two right-handers who have had some coffee time with Boston. Travis Lakins and Ryan Weber with Weber being a charter member of the MLB roster merry-go-round having briefly worn the uniforms of Atlanta, Seattle, and Tampa Bay.
The Red Sox also cleared up some roster space by placing Chris Sale and Steven Wright on the 60-day IL. And Joey Curletta may have reached the end after eight seasons in the minors. Curletta hit just .205 at Portland (AA) and was outrighted.
The next in line should be the prospects worth a watch and that would mean Tanner Houck who is being fine-tuned for the bullpen, all or nothing slugger Bobby Dalbec, righty hopeful Bryan Mata, and infielder C.J. Chatham.