3 Red Sox roster changes we’d already make
Many baseball fans will wait until Memorial Day to start having an opinion about their teams. Boston Red Sox fans know the first checkpoint is on Patriot’s Day.
The Red Sox have been about where many would expect. Some players are meeting expectations. Others are, unfortunately, coming up well short of what is needed from them.
One of the best parts of being a sports fan is sitting in the stands or at home playing general manager. We all have our thoughts as to what changes the Red Sox need to make. These three are becoming fairly obvious.
1) Red Sox roster change: Call up Jorge Alfaro, demote Connor Wong
Connor Wong continues to fail in his half of the Red Sox catcher platoon. The left-handed hitting Reese McGuire has been the complete opposite, excelling at the plate for them early on. The contrast between the two has been massive. To ensure they aren’t putting an automatic out in the lineup whenever this team faces a lefty, it’s better to send Wong back to Triple-A.
Jorge Alfaro has been hitting well down on the farm and while his track record as a major leaguer isn’t fantastic, April isn’t the time to let players go through growing pains. Getting Alfaro’s hot bat into the lineup two or three times a week on average may help spark this sputtering offense.
This is definitely a potentially temporary move for the Red Sox to make. It would require a separate roster change with Alfaro not currently on the 40-man roster. Wong has been frustratingly bad during his time with the Red Sox. Frankly, it’s time to move on completely. He just doesn’t look like a major league starter.
Several players on the Red Sox roster are struggling to get to the Mendoza Line early on in 2023. Wong is one of those guys. Until the Red Sox have fallen out of the playoff race, having the best 26 players on the roster is a must.
2) Red Sox roster change: It’s time to cut ties with Yu Chang
It makes sense why Yu Chang is on the Red Sox roster but it also doesn’t. The versatile infielder can fill in at any position as needed. He’s almost a zero at the plate, though. The Red Sox knew this coming into the year.
The Red Sox are getting into dangerous territory with the construction of the roster. Bobby Dalbec is back and sharing time at first base with Triston Casas. That limited platoon almost makes Chang a little more necessary because the Red Sox don’t have as many backup options up the middle and over at third base.
Enrique Hernandez can fill this need in an emergency situation. The problem is the Red Sox need him to start at shortstop. What’s the solution if they move on from Chang?
Niko Goodrum is currently in the minors for the Red Sox. He is a much more proven MLB hitter than Chang and arguably more versatile. The benefit of Goodrum is his history of playing the outfield as well. Designating Chang for assignment and promoting Goodrum feels like a necessary move for Boston to make sooner than later.
Chaim Bloom needs to remain active on the waiver wire as well. Players like Chang can become available. There are affordable and attainable upgrades out there.
3) Red Sox roster change: Demote Kaleb Ort, promote Ryan Sheriff
The lone lefty reliever on the Red Sox roster is Richard Bleier who hasn’t gotten off to a strong start. Is it the reason they’re not playing particularly well? Not at all. However, it wouldn’t hurt to see what Ryan Sheriff can do.
There are plenty of righties already in the bullpen so demoting Kaleb Ort and at least seeing what Sheriff can do is worth trying out for a week. Sheriff has pitched well in the early going for the Triple-A club. A decent arm in the past, at times, he has minor league options left so if it doesn’t work they can easily send him back down.
One caveat to this is that Sheriff isn’t on the 40-man roster. Moving someone to the 60-day IL could be one way to open up a spot. This roster change may need to wait until that opportunity actually comes along.
Unfortunately, the Red Sox can’t do much to improve their biggest early weakness: the starting pitching. Chris Sale isn’t going to disappear although many will say he already has and this guy taking the mound is an imposter.
There won’t be any major Red Sox roster change coming anytime soon. Small moves like these three can make a difference.
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