Boston Red Sox: Who will make 30-man Opening Day roster?
By Sam Colman
Red Sox infielders
For catchers, Vazquez and Plawecki are locks for the Opening Day Roster. Vazquez had a solid 2019 season, batting .270 in 138 games. He had 23 home runs and 72 RBI. He will definitely be the Opening Day starter. Plawecki will backup for Vazquez this season. He played 59 games with the Indians last year, finishing with a .222 batting average.
It is more than likely that the Red Sox carry three catchers to start the season, just in case. The third spot will probably go to Jonathan Lucroy, although Juan Centeno is another option. Centeno had 1 hit in 7 at-bats this Spring while Lucroy had 6 hits in 20 at-bats.
No matter who makes it, the third catcher will have to compete for most likely two spots as roster size shrinks at the beginning of the season. If Lucroy outperforms, he could possibly claim Plawecki’s spot as our backup.
Devers, Bogaerts, Chavis, and Moreland will likely serve as our starters. Jose Peraza can also look to compete with Chavis to start at second base. Peraza is a lock for a roster spot.
Lin isn’t considered a lock, but he did play well in Spring Training 1. He went 9 for 24 (.429 average) in 10 games. He will serve as a backup, who can play third, shortstop, and second base.
Arauz is another new face for the Red Sox. They selected him from the Astros in the Rule 5 Draft. He was sent to Houston from the Phillies in the Ken Giles trade. He is just 21-years old as he looks to make the active roster. In Spring Training, he went 6 for 28 (.214 average) in 14 games. He can play third base, shortstop, and second base as well.
Arrauz has a good chance to make the major league roster, although Bobby Dalbec, Marco Hernandez, and Dustin Pedroia (if he is somehow ready for the season) are other options. It is likely that the Red Sox decide to carry one less infielder by the time the roster gets cut to 26. Therefore, Lin and Arrauz among others would have to fight for one spot.