Red Sox must remove unnecessary roster appendixes

Look for Chaim Bloom to put finishing touches on the Red Sox roster

The Boston Red Sox are at the halfway point and in Red Barber’s catbird seat regarding the standings. Things could be better in regards to the roster. Medical researchers claim the function of the appendix is unknown. There are theories about it, but it is still an area that needs understanding. Does it serve a useful purpose?

The Red Sox have a few appendixes on their roster. Like the appendix organ, if they are removed it has little impact. Like an appendix, they can possibly cause more negative than positive. Danny Santana is firmly a roster appendix.

Signing Santana was a smart move and now a smarter move would be to move on. The numbers do not justify a roster spot. Just possibly another team is willing to take a risk and absorb the remaining portion of Santana’s $1.75 MM contract.

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Marwin González in 2017 had a career-high watermark. Since then the slide downward has been notable. In 2020, González did little for the Twins and was cut loose. A solid defender at multiple positions, a switch-hitter like Santana, and a solid presence in the locker room. But just how long do you carry a rubber bat?

With González, the payroll situation is in play. González has a $3 MM contract and it is doubtful the Red Sox will bite the fiscal bullet. If this was a Sophie’s Choice situation, and it may well be, I would see Santana being designated with the hope some other team will take the chance the Red Sox did. Gonzalez may just be protected by slightly better performance and career track record.

Then there is the strange world of Michael Chavis. Chavis is victimized by the way the system operates. Santana and González cannot be optioned to the minors. Chavis, as we all well know, can and has multiple times. Again we have a possible Sophie’s Choice with Chavis and Bobby Dalbec. Chavis may need at-bats and apparently can only get them in Worcester.

I have a certain fondness for Chavis and feel he has the potential to be a helpful addition, but not in Boston. Chavis is on the outside looking in. With Chavis, the return would be minimal. Keeping him is also the smart move since he is a security blanket. Chavis’s payroll hit is negligible.

Last is Matt Andriese who has been slammed on social media and on BSI. Andriese is now relegated to mop-up duty on a lost cause game or a Red Sox blowout win. For high leverage situations, Alex Cora would probably rather trust Christian Arroyo. Andriese, however, has a $2.1 MM luxury tax hit. With a staggering ERA, the lineup for Andriese’s services will not be long.

Chaim Bloom will not be idle for the next few weeks. The team does need some reinforcements – a power bat off the bench, a bullpen arm, and some speed would help. For me, the time for bringing up Jarren Duran is now, but roster slots are also flexible.

That would start with Santana. Like Franchy Cordero, Santana had his opportunity and it has not worked. An appendix that needs to be removed. González is certainly questionable. Regardless, González, like Santana and Andriese, will be gone at the season’s end. The immediate tenure of all mentioned is in the war room at Fenway’s basement as Bloom and his evaluators plan their strategic moves.

Speaking of Cordero, the Red Sox may give the lefty another chance. No doubt Cordero can slam the bejabbers out of International League pitching. Boston may try to salvage something from Cordero this season and move him up now that he is getting time at first base. I do not envision Cordero as a Bob Hazle circa 1957.

Surgeon Bloom has work to do to put finishing touches on a roster that can not only win the division but go deep into the playoffs. That may start with the removal and replacement of a few players who simply have not done their job.