Catcher Jorge Alfaro is in camp with the Red Sox on a minor league deal and it was reported about three weeks ago that he has an upward mobility clause in his contract. Today, Chris Cotillo of MassLive has the details on how that will play out.
If Alfaro is not added to the club’s 40-man roster today, he can request that the Sox email the other 29 clubs, which they must do within 24 hours. Those other clubs will then have 24 hours to express their interest in giving Alfaro a spot on their own respective rosters. If one or multiple clubs are willing to give Alfaro a spot, Boston has 72 hours to decide whether or not to add Alfaro to their roster or let him join one of the other interested teams. If more than one team is interested, the Sox can choose which one he goes to.
The Red Sox only have two catchers on their 40-man roster at the moment, who are Reese McGuire and Connor Wong. The latter of those two was dealing with a hamstring strain earlier in spring, which seemed to open the door for Alfaro to get a job. However, Wong now seems healthy and back in the mix for a spot on the Opening Day roster. The Sox would surely love to keep Alfaro around as depth in the event another injury pops up, but it will depend on his level of interest from other clubs around the league.
Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects.com reports that utility player Niko Goodrum also has an upward mobility clause that gets going today, though it’s not known if it will take the exact same shape as Alfaro’s. The 31-year-old signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox on the heels of a rough season with the Astros. He hit .116/.156/.163 last year while striking out in 51.1% of his 45 plate appearances. He was optioned by the Astros but an injury limited him to just 20 minor league games for the year. He was released by Houston and the Red Sox took a flier on him but he’s hitting just .178/.275/.178 in spring so far. He can play all over the diamond but likely has steep odds of making the team, as he’s competing against guys who already have roster spots. Rob Refsnyder and Jarren Duran are candidates for a backup outfield job, while Bobby Dalbec and Yu Chang are potential bench infielders.
Another option for a job with the Red Sox is outfielder Raimel Tapia, who’s also in camp on a minor league deal. Hatfield adds that Tapia can opt-out of his deal on Monday if not added to the roster. Tapia was with the Blue Jays last year and hit .265/.292/.380 for a wRC+ of 90. With the Sox moving Enrique Hernández to cover shortstop while Trevor Story is injured, they have some uncertainty in center field. Adam Duvall is set to be the regular option there, though the 34-year-old has never seen extended time there. Tapia has primarily been a left fielder in his career, though he did play center in 38 games last year and the Sox are reportedly open to using him there as well. Perhaps that ability to play center gives him an edge in the battle for bench jobs in Boston, though he’s not on the 40-man right now. The club will evidently have to make a decision in the next couple of days or they could watch him walk away from his contract. He’s having a nice spring, hitting .325/.372/.600 thus far.
The Sox currently have a full 40-man roster and would have to open up some spots if they want to add anyone from this group. Should any of this group not make the club and then end up sticking around, they will have more options to opt out in the future. Per Hatfield, Goodrum can opt out on May 1 and July 1, Alfaro on June 1 and July 1 and Tapia on July 1. Additionally, outfielder Greg Allen has an upward mobility clause on May 15 and June 15.
Toxic city, toxic residents, toxic team.
Toxic statement—
Put it on TicToxic
Curly – Fans at today’s game were very, very angry.
Only two pitchers (Kelly and his 13 career innings, and Kluber) and only two position players (Crook and his 4 career games, Wilson and his 3 career games) had any ML experience.
I’ve been to several hundred ST games over the years, never have I seen anything like today. It was cool to see Rafaela and Mayer briefly, but the vast majority of Sox fans in attendance wouldn’t even know who they are.
Just another example of Cora/Bloom giving the finger to Red Sox fans.
@Fever, can I assume you are a BRS fan? Sorry to hear about the fans displeasure. I remember living in Cleveland & loving the sports in that city and then Art Modell moved the football team to Baltimore. It’s all about money, sad to say. When money is involved, loyalty takes a back seat. I hope things improve for you & the citizens of Boston.
Curly – Yes indeed I am. It was heartbreaking to see so many kids show up to root for their Red Sox, and only one player (Kelly) had ever played a regular season game with the team.
I know it’s a 90-minute bus ride which players don’t want to make, but surely they could have gotten a couple younger players to make the trip as part of paying their dues.
Yes, Cora and Bloom conspired to put mostly minor leaguers on today’s travel squad because they hate the fans and wanted to ruin your day
Now now Fletch, play nice in the sandbox…
Exactly, spring training is just that. Fellow Sox fans are a bit paranoid and so easily triggered. All the championships have made them far too needy.
Fletch – You can continue to embarrass yourself with your nonsensical replies, and I will continue to take the high road by simply presenting facts.
You clearly don’t realize spring training guidelines ask teams to send at least four regulars on road trips. I wouldn’t expect you to know that.
You clearly don’t realize when they have failed to do so in the past, such as 2014 against the Marlins …. and BTW after that game, GM Ben Cherington apologized for sending just two regulars. I wouldn’t expect you to know that.
You clearly don’t realize when the Sox played twice as far away earlier in ST, with road games in Jupiter and West Palm, they had lineups that included Arroyo, Dalbec, Casas, McGuire against the Astros and included against the Marlins Casas, Dalbec, Refsnyder, Alfaro and Wong with Kluber also on the mound. I wouldn’t expect you to know that.
THOSE are acceptable travel squad lineups, yesterday’s was NOT.
And I wouldn’t expect you to care that Red Sox Nation paid premium prices to see at least some of the players they’re familiar with – ESPECIALLY only 5 days before the season opener – and the many children in attendance who were extremely disappointed.
Always defend Bloom and Cora, even when they break the rules and screw the fans … ain’t that right, Fletch? What a great guy you are.
Curly – Thanks, I responded to him but didn’t stoop to his level.
lucky – Ironically, most fans believe all the championships have made the current front office and manager arrogant. With yesterday’s game being just one example.
Do you even understand the concept of promoting the brand?
I went to the Sox vs Twins game Wednesday night. While they’re being called big leaguers, it was debatable if the Sox had any of them in the roster, especially Houck.
Keep talking you just sound foolish.
FPG, you are an absolute joke of a human being and I’m sorry your life is so miserable that you’re so incensed about one bad day at the ballpark after “hundreds” of spring training games. On one hand, I pity you. On the other, you deserve everything horrible that comes your way with your bad attitude, braindead logic, and pathetic neuroticism.
Everyone who has read one of your comments realizes you are a sad and broken human being who couldn’t handle one year of his team’s underperformance and developed a terrible case of derangement syndrome, but I wouldn’t expect you to know that. If the Sox do well this year, or in any year in the future, you deserve to take zero pride in your team
BTW you would have had an aneurysm if you looked at this box score
mlb.com/gameday/cubs-vs-angels/2023/03/25/718955/f…
No, being brainwashed by the Media and not have enough common sense to think for themselves is the issue at hand. The Media. prints pathetic stories that do not even match the headlines of the story they are presenting just to get people to click on the perceived controversy, that they are literally creating.
Fever Pitch…. just to explain my note here was not in reference to your comments…. not sure why it ended up below it……..
Cooper – Thanks and no worries, I figured.
Looks like someone has a new favorite word.
Toxic words, toxic post, must be a toxic poster.
MarlinsFan,
Well over 40y ago, when joined the USN 1st time (did twice). Was sent to AFEES in Miami and put up in a hotel. We were clearly warned leaving and setting foot on any street in 2 directions would immediately end our enlistment. Reason? Ladies of the night roamed wild, muggings unabated and just not safe and the USN wasn’t going to put up with having another casualty added to the list.
Point is every big city has it’s own evils and ills, which they refuse to clean up. Saw this in San Diego, Charleston SC etc when was in and still to this day. Even more conservative Tampa has ills they refuse to fix, tho are able if they chose to, not just leftist locales like Boston.
Who said it had to do with being leftist? Don’t bring politics in here. I just said toxic because I thought it was wrong to call out a whole city but I wasn’t being political.
I live in Boston and it is a wonderful city. The whole racist rumors are just that…rumors. People are really good to one another here; that’s what I love about it. Just because some A**hole yelled a slur at an opposing player at Fenway does not mean an entire city is racist. Red Sox fans don’t allow this to happen either. I used to have season tickets so I’ve been to 100’s of games. I heard a fan yell something like that only one time. A group of us got up, grabbed the police and he was tossed out of the ballpark instantly. There’s a zero tolerance policy against that ignorance here in Boston.
@MarlinsFan – If you live in Miami, I feel for you. You can pretty much walk anywhere in downtown Boston and feel 100% safe. You can’t do that in Miami. In fact, didn’t they just enact a curfew in Miami the last two weekends due to shootings & violence? Those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
Come visit Boston sometime. It’s a beautiful, historical city full of hard-working, generous people. I’m sure Miami has its charms as well.
Cool thanks for your service and I was SEAL TEAM 6 so I can relate.
But you only became a Marlins fan in 2023?
By the way, that toxic city has more baseball history than the Marlins ever will, no offense. Just by being around longer makes a difference.
Boston is a racist, toxic, despicable city.
I’m not disagreeing and I haven’t been to Miami but I doubt it is much better. A lot of cities are like this but they they do have GOOD aspects within them. You can’t just see them for the bad.
I find that people who feel the need to add the word “rascist” into a discussion, have run out of intelligent things to say, and are usually losing the argument.
Right, because it was just in Adam Jones’ imagination and everyone else’s. By the way, you’re welcome for the Bin-Laden raid.
Well thank you mister holier than thou.
Marlins – If you’re gonna mention one team’s fans, you need to mention the other teams.
Yankee fans called Delino DeShields the N-word.
Blue Jays fans yelled racial slurs at Adam Jones and threw a beer can at Hyun Soo Kim’s head.
Dodger fans made racist comments and death threats to Kenley Jansen.
It’s not that hard to educate yourself, with a little effort.
Right, but don’t expect any better from trashy Canadians.
@Fever Pitch Guy,
Speaking for all Phillies fans, thank you for not mentioning us. We always seem to be the go-to in any fan bad-behavior scenario.
Hard to expect someone holy to have the name Marlins and 2023 together.
Marlins – Stereotypes are not your friend. All that hate is not healthy either.
Bart – You’re welcome. I am very familiar with Phillies fans, and despite the history I couldn’t think of any racist behavior so I left them out.
As with every team, the majority of Phillies fans are fantastic. I’ve seen plenty of games in both Citizens and Veterans, lots of good memories there.
He actually changed his username. LOL
I Remember hearing the Navy ships were called “the Queen (name).”
Look in the mirror lolz
@Boxscore not sure if that’s directed to me or OP. My notifications brought me to your post.
Toxic Avenger?
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Toxic_Avenger_(1984_fi…
A great movie from my mispent youth!
That’s how every liberal city is ran. There’s a reason every country outside of the West believe we’ve Dems have gone full blown Satanìc.
This country needs Gød without him society breaks down and we’re watching it that happen in Boston,NY and L.A.
I remember when Niko had a few solid years in Detroit but since then he has been abysmal.
Two good years, but that was 4-5 years ago.”Abysmal” is the right word ever since.
The email will just wind up in their junk folder. Release him in a TikTok
Goodrum had quite a mountain to climb if he was going to beat out future HOF Refsyder, who has drawn rave reviews so far
I remember when Redsox were trying to finish first for the season, seems like they are just cruising through this season maybe spend to compete next season
$217.8M payroll so far this year.
I also like to read articles then comment on things that have nothing to do with what I just read.
High payroll doesn’t mean wisely spent.
An excessively low payroll compared to team revenues is fair game to argue about. But any fool can waste money on bad (overpaid) deals and run up a payroll they’re given.
Speaking of which….the Forbes 2023 valuations are out. Interesting reading. Especially the big spending Mets, Padres and Phillies. Financially, Bloom is doing a great job for his owner. Just behind Farhan. Enjoy. Try not to get angry.
Foppert: Yes, per Forbes:
Top 5 profits(2022):
Mariners:$83.8M
SFGiants:$74.9
RedSox:$71.6
Orioles:$64.7
A’s:$62.2
Top 5 losses:
Mets:$138.5M
Padres:$55.2
WhiteSox:$53.4
BlueJays:$33.7
Twins:$30.3
That’s not quite how I remembered it, but thankyou for the detail. I totally missed the Mariners at top spot and thought the A’s were in the twenties. Anyhow, it’s there for the interested.
What will be really interesting after the 2023 season is the results of over half the teams receiving -0- from now belly-up Bally entertainment and the whining of those clubs who chose to sell to the sinclair owned media organization Bally, which has already stopped making payments, wanting to renegotiate all but 4 of the deals earlier made and out right negate those other 4 which includes the now high spending Padres.
Myself? I see arm twisting ahead of smart franchises which years before had moved to own/co-own transmission rights of broadcasting. It’s yet another thing not right, but we’ll have to see how it all plays out.
Why would any sane person possibly get :”angry”
Because Bloom isn’t very popular.
I think they will still televise games.
GASox – Well said as always. The Story contract immediately comes to mind, so far a total waste of money.
There will be plenty of people comparing his performance from 2022-2027 to that of Xander, the results will go a long way toward the legacy Bloom leaves behind.
foppert – Bloom doesn’t decide the payroll, ownership does.
As for revenue, much of it is from previously negotiated sponsorships and of course the success of the 2021 team that was led by a core of players Bloom had nothing to do with acquiring.
suit – Thank you for providing.
Now that last year’s revenue bump from the 2021 ALCS appearance is in the rear view mirror, how much profit do you anticipate for the 2023 season?
And it’s disgusting that three of the Top 5 most profitable teams also received revenue sharing.
Fever: Good question. I’m not sure what to think of the profit list. I would have guessed the Dodgers made more profit than the Red Sox. The Yankees should be making more profit, but I think they are still paying off their stadium. Forbes says the Red Sox are worth $4.5B. Doesn’t $71.6M profit seem a bit low for a team worth $4.5B? If you make $100M profit per year, it will take 45 to recoup your investment. Something seems off. I guess it could just be good accounting lowering the profit for tax purposes.
45 years
Ok. I wouldn’t know the finer details. It’s just an interesting FO report card to me. I can’t imagine an owner being unhappy at a comparative result like that. Same with the Giants. Bit of speculation about regarding Farhan’s future. I see that report and think he is there if he wants to be.
@feverpitch
suit – The Dodgers spent $326M on 2022 payroll, including the tax penalty. I think that’s what dragged their profit down more than anything.
As for the Red Sox, $1.2B of their valuation is attributable to just Fenway Park and $2.1B is attributable to just the Boston market, which is a densely populated high wage area and also includes basically a monopoly on most of New England.
Businessmen don’t buy MLB teams to make an annual profit, they buy them for the ROI. No matter how bad the franchise, how bad the market, and how bad the stadium, every owner will ALWAYS have a huge gain on their investment when they finally decide to sell. There’s only 30 of ’em after all.
Look at the Pirates, Nutting paid just $92M in 1996 and now it’s worth $1.32B, that’s one helluva ROI now ain’t it!!!
Fever: You make sense. Why do you think they Red Sox only made about $7M more in profit than the Orioles? I was also surprised to see that.
suit – Orioles had a much lower payroll than the Sox ($45M to $212M), and they received revenue sharing while the Sox didn’t.
Here’s the thing, without a better breakdown of details, it’s hard to put much of any weight in those “profit” numbers.
Think of all the depreciation, maintenance, interest, etc numbers that cam be skewed. Likewise, depending on the accounting games being played and how interests are held, imagine team ABC has a single owner who also owns the rsn outright. Maybe they have a nominal payment from their rsn to the team itself so it looks like the team ‘earns’ less profit. Some teams own their stadium and claim depreciation of the asset, lowering ‘profit’…. Others lease a stadium and don’t get that deduction.
GASox – I get what your overall point is and agree. However depreciation wouldn’t be anywhere near the cost of rent if the Sox didn’t own Fenway.
Meanwhile, this makes me feel all warm and fuzzy:
“With Kelly now in the fold, the Red Sox have just one more vacancy in their bullpen to fill before Opening Day against the Orioles on Thursday. It will likely either go to Kaleb Ort, who is already on the 40-man roster but has struggled this spring, Oddanier Mosqueda, or Ryan Sherriff”
Dis I miss something? How are they “just cruising through this season” when the season hasn’t even started yet?
Duran and Dalbec need to play full time. Duran should start in AAA or the MLB as long as he plays. Dalbec should have been traded. He probably has less value on the bench than he does starting because he’s not a logical defensive replacement.
Some players pinch hit because lefty rightly matchups make things favorable when a team is behind. It may be a power hitter for a singles hitter, when a home run is needed. Not every bench player has to be superior to the starter defensively. Defensive players are more often needed when a team has a lead. I’m guessing Boston will likely be behind more often than not.
Dalbec can’t hit anything but fastballs.
I don’t know about being behind but Bloom doesn’t get players to do one thing. He doesn’t usually think in terms of pinch hitters and I don’t blame him.
Both really need to use an option and be in AAA to start. Someone gets hurt where they can come up everyday? Swap em in. Roster as constructed just doesn’t have a spot, and, using either in a utility role wouldnt build trade value for them either.
@GA Exactly, agreed
I think they have to give the job to Wong. Alfaro seemed like an odd signing right off the jump.
It just seems a bit Wong
Alfaro seems like a better catcher than Wong. I’d be shocked if they don’t keep him. What’s not mentioned is Wong still has an option. No brainer: McCain and Alfaro platoon in Boston, Wong does Worcester, and see how things shakes out. They just have to find a spot on 40-man.
Wong is a MUCH better defensive catcher.
Based on what? Ive given you my take. All you got is “MUCH”?
Jarren Duran looked like a good CFer until he got to the Bigs. Wong could turn out the same, he hasnt been here long enough to give a ‘MUCH better’ to yet.
Duran hasn’t been I’m the Majors long enough either
Based on every scouting report in the world.
So, youre just here to argue. Not really to talk baseball,
Bye bye.
Just trying to cure some ignorance on your part. Alfaro is known as a very bad defensive catcher.
Do some research.
You’re welcome for the Bin Laden raid, ingrate.
Very Offensive Catcher. Runs Well, Fan Favorite In SD, Also has some time in OF
. NO BRAINER SIGN HIM
Wong vs Alfaro
———————
Heath: Alfaro
Maturity: Alfaro
Experience: Alfaro
MLB Offensive: Alfaro
Defense: Alfaro
Better Spring Training: Alfaro
Obstacles to send to Worcester: Alfaro
RH bat to a compliment McGuire: Both
Potential for bigger upside: Wong
Don’t have to find 40 man roster spot: Wong
———————-
7 to 2. Alafaro should be on MLB roster
Hair: Wong (I’m old)
Boston is a Dem city and btw when was the last time Massachusetts did not go Dem for prez?
Defense: Alfaro,,,,
What?
Defense: Wong . . . Based on what, then?
Do you have google?
I was wondering that too. The knock on Alfaro throughout his career has been he’s not very good defensively. I can’t see how he could possibly rate better defensively than Wong.
Stats say they’re pretty close, from what I see. Alfaro better at throwing runners out, which will be huge this year (rule changes). Alfaro better at preventing WPs.. Wong slightly better at framing. Wong slightly better at general defense when making a play.
I know Alfonso isnt a very good defensive catcher, but Wong has such little playing time, And the small numbers out there for Wong, are meddling. I cant see saying yeah, this guy who has barely had a cup of coffee in the Bigs is a better def catcher.
Even if you take away the point from Alfaro, Im still not seeing a reason not to send Wong down. It gives you 3 options instead of 2. Alfaro is gone if you dont put him on the ML roster.
Probably time to put Chang and Mills through waivers so you can add Tapia and Alfaro
I doubt anyone claims either, but, if they did, I dont see a huge loss in either than can’t be easily replaced.
Dropping Chang for Alfaro probably makes sense of for no other reason than to have a 3rd catcher on the 40-man available to them if needed. But if Mills is dropped it will be to add someone like Sherriff to give them a second lefty in the pen with Rodriguez starting the season on the IL.
If they drop Chang, who is the middle infield depth? Let’s see, they have:
Arroyo
Hernandez
Valdez
Rafaela
Hamilton
Dalbec (in a pinch)
They may want to keep Chang.
Chang can’t hit out of a wet paper bag, his defense is fungible in that there are plenty of lingering FAs or prospects you could give a shot to even if someone took him. I doubt he gets claimed though. Also as you say, they have dalbec already. You forget that at some point mondesi is due back. It is possible to juggle guys around without him. And not saying he was great, but the Yankees deployed refsnyder at 2b for 270 innings so he’s not completely raw there. If you’re that worried give him some reps there in practice to bring him back up to speed a bit for an ultra emergency.
The team needs a 3rd catcher spot on the 40 man. If its not alfaro then theres nobody else in the farm ready. Its that simple.
Tapia has played too well to just let go, and, ought to get some reps on the team. He’d make a nice PR option off the bench as well.
I agree Tapia has played his way onto the team. Mondesi cannot be counted on yet, so I didn’t list him. Refsnyder has not played middle infield since 2017, so I didn’t list him. Maybe Refsnyder gets DFA’d.
Refsnyder is only making 500k or so above league minimum, so burning that salary is certainly in the mix.
However, Cora does like him, and, that has played a role in the past on choosing who to carry.
I guess the question is what is more important to carry, and why?
Because of the SS debacle this offseason, Kiki isn’t really available for the OF. Not yet.
Of the 40man OFers, abreu and Castro are too young, not even going above a ball.
So, all you have on the team is Verdugo, duvall. Yoshi, refsnyder, amd Duran.
You don’t go into a game without a 4th OF. I think even adding Tapia, that means in the organization you have 6 OF options to make it through the season.
Comparatively, lots of IF experienced and capable players exist for boston.
It would be hard for some to imagine chang released after his round a in the WBC, but, as I said in other threads, people read too much into wbc numbers based on the pitching, both how up to speed, and, the caliber of some entrants.
But, chang showed a barest flash in the wbc compared to a competent, if unspectacular, MLB season last year. I’m fairly sure Ref gets claimed if you waive him, then you do have OF depth problems.
It’s the problem when you build a team of AAAA and elderly players like happened this offseason. But I’d see it being a choice of chang/valdez/Hamilton over refsnyder just because, like I said, who else is really available on an OF depth chart when, not if, but when, someone or even 2 guys go down. You don’t want to be that thin.
(Also, chang having his visa issues and playing in only 4 games all spring, only in the wbc, and zero with Boston, doesn’t help)
I think it’s madness to only have 2 C’s on the 40. They should option Wong & select Alfaro if only so they have 3.
They still have Hernandez as a 4th, but if it came to that they’d probably swing a deal like the one that got them Sandy.
That seems like a slamdunk. If I had to take a pick, I’d mostly guess that Alfaro will be a better player in 2023. At worst, maybe Wong is better, but I don’t see how it would be enough to simply lose Alfaro.
IMO, we are better off with Alfaro & Wong than say Wong & Hernandez.
Who is Castro? Do you mean Rafaela? I think they could DFA Refsnyder and have Verdugo, Duvall, Yoshida and Tapia on the 26 man with Duran (and maybe Rafaela) as depth for OF. I think Refsnyder may make it through waivers and wind up at Worcester. If not, they should be able to find another AAA outfielder. As for catcher, if they want to keep Alfaro, I think Wong needs to be optioned to Worcester. To clear a spot for for Alfaro on the 40 man, Mondesi or Rodriguez could possibly be put on the 60 day IL. Also, Chang was on the Red Sox last year, so they know him and he did pretty good in the WBC. Let’s see what happens.
Chang wasn’t GOOD on the red sox last year though, only played 4 games in that WBC, has had NO games with Boston all spring training, and, is still working through his visa issues….
Would he be at all ready to face prepared mlb pitching?
Also recall, that WBC performance included facing the [sarcasm] powerhouse [/sarcasm] pitching of the Netherlands, Panama, and Italy. Up against Cuba he went 1 for 4 at the plate.
I’m not thinking much about offense. I’m thinking about who can play the middle infield. Maybe they do keep Valdez or Hamilton over Chang or maybe they keep Chang because he has MLB experience. They may want Hamilton and Valdez to work on things in the minors. Hamilton needs to work on making better contact at the plate. Not sure if Valdez has anything to work on.
But, think about who can play OF? You listed 5 middle infielders for 2 slots, I leave ceddane off the IF and OF both as he just isn’t ready for the early part of this year to make the jump. He’s too important to risk his development.
That jumps to 7 when mondesi and story become available in a couple months, maybe 8 if ceddane shows good strides.
The OF depth chart is Yoshi who isn’t used to a MLB grind, Duvall who has never stayed fresh as a CF yet, and Verdugo. Behind that you’ll have Tapia, Refsnyder, and Duran, with nobody above a-ball on the 40 man.
To me, I’d want to see 2 spares to cover the 3 starters and 4th OF you need every game.
Meanwhile, you’d have Kiki and dalbec/arroyo to start games, and 3 potential fill ins on the 40 man for 2 spots. Don’t forget, turner is in theory supposed to back up the corner IF spots as well, so, even a casas/Devers injury doesn’t deplete the middle infield depth.
It’s just a poorly constructed roster, but, they’ve got a lot more infielder depth at the upper levels than the outfield.
Of course, you never know if there’s going to be an IL move coming to punt on the issue and hope things shake out on their own accord as the season progresses.
GASoxFan: Rafaela played 71 games at AA last year. They might view him as OF depth. They can probably pick up a AAA outfielder this time of year if needed. What about Narciso Crook as OF depth?
I think Ort could also be DFA’d. He hasn’t had a good spring.
suit – Despite being 31, Ort is still pre-arb so for the price I think Bloom will hang onto him longer.
I figure Red Sox have enough room for both Ref and Tapia.
13 position players:
2 Catchers (McGwire, Alfonso)
6 Infielders (Casas, Arroyo, Kiki, Devers, Turner, Chavez, Unkown)
5 Outfielders (Yoshida, Verdugo, Duvall, Refsnyder, Tapia)
Unknown: Red Sox could use a defense first middle infielder who bats left. David Hamilton is best in-house option. Niko Goodrum has looked terrible.
Makes sense. Who did your autocorrect change to Chavez? Could be Chang or Valdez 🙂
Noids doesn’t address the 40 man crunch we’re talking about though Suit.
Allin the Suit
Lol, Chavez is suppose to be Dalbec. Ive been flipping those names for years. Thx All in the suit. Geez Im tired.
Chang— I didnt add because he’s been a mystery. In the WBC for so long, I dont think he’s gotten an AB in Spring Training.. He could be the unknown, but that would give the Middle Inf 4 right hand bats (Kiki, Arroyo, Dalbec, Chang). Not very good for situational play.
Valdez—I think hes going to Triple A
Noids – Chang was knocked out of WBC in the first round, he just didn’t have his visa in order and that’s why he hasn’t played yet at all in ST. He didn’t report before the WBC, then still didn’t have his visa to report after.
Not a great look for a ‘professional’…
In round A of the wbc he didn’t even face much of any pitching. 1-4 vs Cuba, then played against… not much competition.
In his time since the WBC he has been playing with high school teams in Taiwan, I kid you not.
I’m guessing the sox could try to find a reason to leave him in extended spring training in favor of say, Duran, just to have someone who has any kind of actual preparation if they did choose to keep him?
GA: Chang is still outside the US? I didn’t know that. That certainly works against him.
Looks like Chang made it to spring training.
mlb.com/news/yu-chang-heads-to-red-sox-camp-after-…
So he just made it here earlier today/Saturday, but has yet to suit up… hadn’t seen that story yet 😉
Mistake: It should be “14 position players” not 13, and “7 Infielders” not 6.—- 12 pitchers are plenty.
Crook isn’t on the 40 man, and, I’m not sure he sticks with the team as a NRI. Actually id be shocked if he did by the time all teams finalize team rosters at all levels. Where would he get the playing time?
He had an abysmal spring training, pretty much just over matched all around. Mendoza line for an OBP not just hit batting, .534 ops.
AAA also has much better players needing the ABs than to keep him around.
Maybe Dalbec gets traded for an OF with options as it looks like he is not making the team. Dalbec does have 2 options left. So he could probably be traded for an OF with options. Trading Dalbec would open up a 40 man spot. It will be interesting.
2 reasons a dalbec trade would surprise me:
1) is chaim floated him through the offseason without, apparently, finding a deal he could stomach.
2) options don’t cut it, what you need is to clear a 40 man spot.
Clearly chaim is going to keep Ort. The pitching staff up and down is too old, and too injury-questionable not to.
I think Refsnyder is not a great trade chip. I also think Chang is not a great trade chip. Dalbec is at least better than either of those two.
When mondesi/story are ready to play, you need someone to kick off the 26 man squad, and, the likely spot booted will be your extra OF – Refsnyder.
Why? Because Kiki will either straight platoon duvall if his batting suffers with the rigors of everyday CF the way it did in ATL, or, go back to super sub altogether.
And if you have illusions of deadline buying, dalbec keeps value then while chang or refsnyder don’t. So stash dalbec, don’t waste him on another OF with options you don’t need. He won’t bring that great of one, or, he would’ve earlier this offseason.
14 position players:
2 Catchers (McGwire, Alfonso)
6 Infielders (Casas, Arroyo, Kiki, Devers, Turner, Dalbec, Hamilton)
5 Outfielders (Yoshida, Verdugo, Duvall, Refsnyder, Tapia)
IMO: I cant see Red Sox going with 4 righty middle infielders. Hamilton makes it by virtue of being a lefty bat and pinch running ability (the guy is half gazelle on his mother’s side). Then it becomes Dalbec or Chang, I’d take Dalbec’s bat over Chang’s glove. But, a transaction could change that.
In the OF, I think they’re set. I don’t want to see a move, because adding another player takes away from what they have.
Is Alfonso the great defensive catcher you like so much?
Apparently.
GASoxFan9 hours ago
2 reasons a dalbec trade would surprise me:
1) is chaim floated him through the offseason without, apparently, finding a deal he could stomach.
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What were the offers?
GA: Couldn’t Dalbec be traded for an OF that doesn’t need to be added to the 40 man? That is what I was getting at.
Dalbec is playing SS today. So, it looks like he will make the team and Chang will not.
I see Over the Monster is showing them only carrying 5 Infielders and an extra pitcher. I hope they carry Dalbec and a defensive middle IFer that bats left (Hamilton?). But every team seems big on carrying 1 inning pitchers. So they may go with just 1 utility infielder and 13 pitchers.
I think its a mistake: Middle Infield defense will be poorer, 1 less lefty bat on the bench and loss of an excellent pinch runner. Just to add Oddanier Mosqueda? (according to OTM)
Report is dalbec down (good for his development I guess) chang as utility guy, alfaro sent to aaa, no word if he’s accepting or triggering his upward clause, and no word you on Tapia.
Chang does not belong on this roster… what a waste…. as soon as Mondesi is ready…. Chang goes bye bye.
I like Alfaro. I was surprised that the Pads let him go. He has a good throwing arm from the plate and can nab base stealers.
Yikes, that Sox lineup is atrocious. Just can’t see how some fans think they’re going to break .500, let alone compete!? I guess more games vs the central and less vs the east will help….a tiny bit.
Jays – The interesting question will be, if Sale has a strong first half and the Sox still have a losing record …. will they trade him, essentially sending the message they don’t plan to contend in 2024?
The Sox will need at least 3 C’s on the 40 man for IL protection so it is a no brainer to keep Alfaro and use Wong’s option.
I would put Mondesi on the 60 day as he is not expected to be ready until some time in May, if he makes good progress and maybe much later if he has any set backs.
hard to watch the sox bad team 4th place