Red Sox: September is decision time on 40-Man roster slots

September may spell the end for several Boston Red Sox players

There is spring housecleaning, and the Red Sox will most certainly be engaged in fall housecleaning. The target is their 40-Man roster, and it has already begun. Thanks to COVID-19 issues, we have witnessed a revolving door when players came in and disappeared.

The roster is the baseball version of the Golden Ticket but not by Rolad Dahl, but created by MLB in conjunction with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Roster slots are a gateway to the big prize, a stay on the 26-Man MLB roster. Just one day, and it is full medical for life. The next most crucial kiss is the pension – just 43 days on the MLB roster, and you get the minimum. Youngsters have their taste of “The Show” and dispatched to the farm this season, but there is a second layer.

The real targets are those who fervently hope to latch on to a spot that can add some service time. The Red Sox will not hand out roster spots to anyone with a pulse. Prospects have to be protected from Rule-5 and spots made available if deals or players elsewhere are cut loose.

Players such as lefty Austin Davis or righty Michael Feliz have been a borderline talent for several seasons. Now is impression time for the Red Sox or other teams. A late-season showcase that could be spun into a roster spot or a release.

Phillips Valdéz is pitching for his MLB survival, and the numbers are not promising. Fellow right-hander Brad Peacock was once classified as an up-and-coming hurler for the Astros. Peacock can start or relieve and in 2018 appeared in 61 games with a 35.3 K% and a comfortable 7.4 BB%. Peacock may get the nod on a roster spot. Davis, Feliz, and Valdéz are likely to be removed.

One intriguing possibility for remaining is right-hander Hansel Robles. Robles is a seven-year veteran who has made 372 trips out of the ‘pen and has notched 38 saves. His downside this season is the same disease that has hit the Boston staff other than COVID-19 – his 12.9 BB%. Still, Robles could remain or drift elsewhere if Boston cuts ties. Robles will be like many already mentioned and get that invitation to spring training or a minor league contract.

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Of the position players, José Iglesias offers up an exciting possibility. Iglesias is best noted for his slick glovework, but his -8.7 UZR/150, minus 22 defensive runs saved, and 16 errors may signal a defensive decline this season. Iglesias can still hit with a special joy of swatting .308 against the Red Sox over his career, which began in Boston.

Iglesias will be 32-years-old next season, and the question mark is his defense. If he shows enough, would the Red Sox risk a roster spot to protect the ten-year veteran? Iglesias may have competition from two other players.

Travis Shaw had some significant years in Milwaukee after being traded by the Red Sox. Shaw hit 63 home runs over 2017-2018 before fading. The second player is a Rule-5 selection from a few seasons ago in utility infielder Jonathan Araúz. He has not done much damage with the stick, but it has impacted the game when he has.

How far will the Red Sox go with Franchy Cordero? The lefty has power plus and contacts less, as his MLB record shows. Cordero is still under the Mendoza Line, and Boston may have seen enough negative and not waste a spot.

Boston’s needs start with pitching, and with a minor league system not supplying the arms, spots may go to a few mentioned. From what I have seen, it is nothing special in the offing as what you see is what you get. There is no Garrett Whitlock in the bunch.

The roster vets are a dicey collection and the smart money would say that all would be sent packing. There are others not mentioned who most certainly will follow Marwin Gonzalez and get a second chance or third or fourth. That does not mean the end. Invitations can be handed out by Boston or elsewhere and never say never as players can surface in 2022 after a stay in the minors.