Red Sox players who would benefit from expanded rosters
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.
Most improved roster odds
Jonathan Lucroy: The veteran catcher was a non-roster invitee who came to camp aiming to earn the backup role behind Christian Vazquez. He was impressive this spring, hitting .300 with a .881 OPS but didn’t do enough to overtake Kevin Plawecki (.474 average, 1.126 OPS). Lucroy is a favorite of manager Ron Roenicke from their days together in Milwaukee. He’ll probably never regain the All-Star form he showcased with the Brewers but an offseason procedure on his ailing neck should lead to a bounce-back year.
The Red Sox were considering carrying three catchers on their 26-man roster and that strategy becomes much easier with more open spots available.
Brian Johnson: With Chris Sale lost for the season and Collin McHugh still working his way back from an elbow strain, the Red Sox are starved for pitching. Johnson was a disaster in his limited opportunities to start last year but he’s shown enough potential in the past to warrant consideration for a back of the rotation spot.
Johnson made five appearances this spring, including two starts, allowing only four runs over 9 1/3 innings (3.86 ERA).
The delayed season has given McHugh more time to recover so he may not end up missing time after all. Boston has also toyed with the idea of using an Opener if they can’t find five viable starters. Even if the Red Sox don’t trust Johnson enough to stick in the rotation, he can still eat innings as a long reliever and make the occasional spot start.
Bobby Dalbec: His chances to make the Opening Day roster took a hit when the Red Sox brought back Mitch Moreland but Dalbec is back on the radar with the additional roster spots up for grabs. He’s one of the top prospects in the organization and his impressive power stroke could give Boston’s lineup a boost. Dalbec swatted 27 home runs in time split between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket last year.
Under Consideration
Tanner Houck: One of the top pitching prospects in the organization, Houck is expected to make his big league debut this year after reaching Triple-A to finish his 2019 campaign. The question is what his role will be.
Houck was mostly a starter in Double-A to begin last year, posting a 3.65 ERA in 15 starts. He was used primarily out of the bullpen when he moved up to Triple-A in July, often logging multiple innings in relief. Houck thrived in that role, owning a 2.05 ERA in 22 innings as a reliever.
The right-hander was shelled this spring, posting a 7.11 ERA and issuing six walks in 6 1/3 innings. He’s not ready to be a starter at the major league level yet but he won’t have the opportunity to be groomed further in that role if there is no minor league season. That may lead to the Red Sox sticking him in the bullpen for this year.
C.J. Chatham: The 25-year old is another top prospect on the verge of breaking into the majors but he’s blocked by Xander Bogaerts at his natural shortstop position. Chatham proved his bat is ready by hitting .302 with a .760 OPS in 20 games for Pawtucket last year. He gained limited experience at several other positions last season and the improved versatility could be the key to finding playing time.
Rusney Castillo: Is this the year that Castillo finally makes it back to the big leagues? He’s been far too productive to be stranded in Triple-A but his burdensome contract has kept him from being added back to the 40-man roster. The Red Sox made drastic sacrifices to get their payroll in order and dip below the luxury tax threshold and they won’t allow Castillo’s contract to jeopardize that.
It’s unclear what ramifications a shortened season will have on the luxury tax. MLB is still haggling with the players over whether salaries will be prorated based on the number of games or if they will split revenue. Boston expects to be under the tax when the season begins but how far under will depend on how much money goes to the players. Castillo deserves a roster spot if he can be added without risking the payroll entering tax territory.
So you’re saying there’s a chance?
Anyone on the 40-man roster presumably has a chance when the club can carry 30 active players.
A few pitchers who were on their way to earning a spot with strong springs include Mike Shawaryn, Josh Osich, and Austin Brice. It will be interesting to see how many of those extra roster spots are used on pitching considering Boston’s lack of depth in that area.
If they need more position players, there are a few more to choose from.
Jonathan Arauz: The Red Sox selected Aruaz in the Rule 5 draft. He hasn’t played above Double-A and wasn’t exactly dominating at that level but Boston will need to return him to the Houston Astros if they can’t find room on the active roster for him. Expanded rosters makes it easier to retain him.
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Tzu-Wei Lin: His underwhelming bat struggled to reach the .200 mark in limited time last year and he doesn’t have much pop. Lin brings a solid glove that can field multiple positions though so it wouldn’t hurt to have him around as a defensive replacement.
Marco Hernandez: The versatile infielder was non-tendered last winter but later rejoined the organization on a split contract that allows him to earn more money depending on how much time he spends on the active major league roster.
The problem with Hernandez has always been staying healthy. He’s been derailed by a variety of injuries since his promising debut in 2016. He’s been limited to only 122 career games since then but has been a serviceable backup when called upon. With Brock Holt moving on to Milwaukee, Boston could use another backup infielder capable of handling multiple positions.
Taxi Squad
Any of the aforementioned options who don’t end up making the cut can still be among the 20 reserves on the practice squad. This group of “taxi” players could be called up later in the season. If this roster expansion is approved as outlined in the latest proposal, that could put as many as 50 players total on the radar, which means not everyone on the taxi squad will be from the current 40-man roster.
Some of the top lower-level prospects should be in the mix. Jeter Downs and Connor Wong, both of whom were acquired in the blockbuster trade with the Dodgers, should be in this group. Count Bryan Mata and Jarren Duran in the mix as well. These player aren’t major league ready but if there’s no minor league season for them to continue their development then they might as well be included on this practice squad.
Yoan Aybar and Marcus Wilson are on the 40-man roster but aren’t ready for the big leagues, which means they also belong in this group.
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The Red Sox lost several key players to trades, free agency and injuries. This team has taken a step back on paper but the expanded rosters could help make up for some of the losses with improved depth if they can figure out how to mix-and-match the surplus of options effectively.