Red Sox: Examining possible roster moves as players return from IL

A look at potential Boston Red Sox roster moves

The Red Sox will have some roster move issues surfacing in August. The most notable is Chis Sale with lesser attention given to Hirokazo Sawamaura and Matt Andriese in the pitching department. The Red Sox will probably postpone any Ryan Brasier move until September expansion. If Andriese has his head in the right place he would try to extend his Injury List stay until September.

The replacement parts are usually vulnerable – the players that are the baseline for WAR. Phillips Valdéz should not rest easy despite an impressive game against the Yankees. Yacksel Riós has had a few positive impact moments but certainly is expendable in the big picture. Now to the real three of note.

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Christian Arroyo, Marwin González, and Danny Santana. Arroyo is an IL regular this season and the centerfold for baseball misfortune. Michael Chavis has been a semi-regular in 2021 thanks in part to Arroyo’s ability to pick up nick and dents. Chavis could return – again – to Worcester. I’ve lost count on Chavis’ round trips. Apparently, he has shown enough to keep Jonathan Araúz anchored in Worcester.

Arroyo is a given. Manager Alex Cora has mentioned the former number one draft pick in flattering references. Arroyo has certainly done the job. Fans, media, teammates, and management have been duly impressed and at just 26-years-old Arroyo is a keeper. Second base may no longer be the carbuncle it has since Dustin Pedroia’s warranty expired.

That brings us to González. He should be on the comfortably productive downside of his baseball prime years but the switch-hitter has done little the last two seasons. What is most notable is the power outage. Just two home runs this season. González gets points for versatility and defense. The rest is in “meh” land.

Lastly is Danny Santana. He certainly has power and as far as his overall hitting, I can say Santana has power. Little else. A firm member of the 2021 class of disappointment. Santana is reportedly progressing “slowly” and that could mean a long delay in a Santana decision.

With the trade deadline approaching, the Red Sox could ease up a roster situation with trades. I would certainly not miss Bobby Dalbec flaying away at the little white sphere. The Red Sox could also do the Player to be Named Later in any dealing. But what about other moves?

Jarren Duran has had his taste of “The Show” and optioning him back to Triple-A is always a possibility. A quick move that would solve more complicated roster decisions. Franchy Cordero and Duran could share an Uber and save owner John Henry a few bucks. And the Cordero situation?  The power potential is mesmerizing.

Cordero has his second chance with the Red Sox. That said, he could be vacating his roster spot to make room, but only if the lefty slugger vaporizes in his second coming. How about a real cleansing?

Is it just time to cut a few from the herd? The only ones who would miss Andriese are the opposing hitters. Andriese has been a dud, washout, failure. The contract impact would be minimal and a designated for assignment (DFA) could settle that roster spot being erased.

Why just stop with Andiese? Santana would be a likely choice. Follow the same road. Right now the Red Sox may end up a rewarding failure and punishing success with roster moves that include demotions.

The division is up for grabs. The opposition will make moves. If the Red Sox choose to limit themselves the next few days then work on formulating a roster for the big push. At this point, there are a few players who need a big push and it is off the roster.