Red Sox players who would benefit from expanded rosters
By Sean Penney
A look at which players in the Boston Red Sox organization stand to benefit if MLB expands rosters for the 2020 regular season.
Major League Baseball is trying to hash out an agreement that would allow the coronavirus-delayed season to finally begin. The Players’ Association has yet to respond to the latest proposal from the owners and further negotiations may be required in order to get these two sides on the same page. One aspect that seems certain to be included in an eventual deal is expanded rosters. Adding to the active roster would mean that several Boston Red Sox players battling for a spot would have a greater chance of breaking camp with the big league team.
According the Associated Press, the latest proposal called for active rosters to be expanded from 26 to 30. With minor leagues shuttered, there likely will be the addition of about 20 players per club akin to the NFL’s practice squad.
This expansion is hardly set in stone without a deal in place but there’s little reason for the MLBPA to push back on this aspect of the offer since it leads to more players accruing service time. If we assume that 30 is a reasonable expectation for the active roster, which players in the Red Sox organization stand to benefit the most?
We know the obvious choices for who will be with the team on Opening Day, so instead we’re focusing on those with a chance to make the roster who otherwise might have missed the cut without expansion.