Post by Chris Hatfield on Aug 19, 2013 11:09:55 GMT -5
With the team in contention, they're likely to only call up players who can help them down the stretch, as opposed to last year when the M.O. was to give the young guys some run with the team out of contention:
Major League DL: Buchholz is the biggest addition they can make at this point. Not sure if we'll see him before Sept. 1 given that he'll need rehab time and if he needs two starts, that pretty much gets us there. Snyder likely gets activated on 9/1 (unless he's actually hurt, which is possible). Thornton has a second bullpen coming on Tuesday, followed by either a sim game or ML assignment. He probably gets activated 9/1 if he's healthy.
Jackie Bradley: Likely comes up on Sept. 1 given the defensive limitations of the Gomes/Nava/Carp trio and Victorino's health. I could see them trying to rest Victorino a lot if the playoff spot becomes more of a sure thing.
Ryan Lavarnway/Dan Butler: I'm not too sure of what they'll do here. Could certainly call one up on 9/1 to be the third catcher, but given that they barely used Lavarnway when he was the second catcher, I'm not sure that's certain. Not like they're going to want to DH Salty or Ross. PawSox are in a playoff chase, so it could be a bit before the fourth catcher comes up. Butler will almost definitely make his MLB debut in September though, which will be super-cool for a former NDFA who didn't even start in college.
Brock Holt: Could see him coming up on Sept. 1 so that the team has a proper 2B backup, but given that he won't play much with Xander now ahead of him, could also see them leaving him in Pawtucket until their playoff run ends.
Alex Hassan: Before he fractured his finger, he might have been up 9/1 or even earlier (.363/.463/.606 vs LHP this year). Now, it all depends on how that heals. I'll admit again that he's made the Sox look good for a move that I killed them for during the offseason and early this year.
Bryce Brentz: Issue 1: health, as he only just started a GCL rehab assignment. Issue 2 (the bigger one): room on the 40-man. With the Xander call-up, Sox are now officially out of easy options to free up room without a DFA or outright assignment. One spot will need to be made when Buchholz returns. Another will need to be made if Contreras is getting called up today or at all (see below).
Bullpen options:
Jose Contreras: Chris Cotillo is reporting that he opted out of his deal this weekend, and rightfully speculates that he could come up today so they can keep him. Would need a 40-man move. Has pitched well in Pawtucket (his overall line is deceiving - he got shelled in two appearances but has been good in his other 6, as well as his AAA appearances w/ PIT), and the fact that they kept him when they released Lyon suggests he's in the plans. To be honest, I'm not sure they can justify making room on the 40 at this time.
Pedro Beato/Jose De La Torre: Likely up on Sept. 1 if they aren't already.
Brayan Villarreal: Has only made two appearances since coming off the DL. May not come up immediately, but it depends on how he looks. His issues with walks may make him too much of a liability for a call-up, although so far, so good on that in Pawtucket (1 BB in 2.1 IP)
Alex Wilson: Depends on what the deal is with his thumb. Hasn't pitched since 8/5.
Ryan Rowland-Smith: Again, the tough part is how do you make room on the 40-man for him, particularly given whatever marginal gain he'd be for them.
Steven Wright/Allen Webster: I think it's more likely they come up once Pawtucket's season ends. More important that Webster consolidate gains at this point, imo, although perhaps they could use him out of the bullpen in short spurts.
On 40-man, but no chance:
Christian Vazquez: He's got a great arm, but his overall defensive game gets a bit overrated because of that, based on some reports I've gotten. Gammons or someone will suggest bringing him up, but I can't see it happening.
Daniel Bard: No. Obv.
So, my projections:
Either up today or gone: Contreras
Up on 9/1: Bradley, Lavarnway, Beato, De La Torre, Holt
Up when/if proven healthy: Hassan, Wilson
Up when PAW season ends: Butler, Wright
On the fence for call-up: Webster, Villarreal
Major League DL: Buchholz is the biggest addition they can make at this point. Not sure if we'll see him before Sept. 1 given that he'll need rehab time and if he needs two starts, that pretty much gets us there. Snyder likely gets activated on 9/1 (unless he's actually hurt, which is possible). Thornton has a second bullpen coming on Tuesday, followed by either a sim game or ML assignment. He probably gets activated 9/1 if he's healthy.
Jackie Bradley: Likely comes up on Sept. 1 given the defensive limitations of the Gomes/Nava/Carp trio and Victorino's health. I could see them trying to rest Victorino a lot if the playoff spot becomes more of a sure thing.
Ryan Lavarnway/Dan Butler: I'm not too sure of what they'll do here. Could certainly call one up on 9/1 to be the third catcher, but given that they barely used Lavarnway when he was the second catcher, I'm not sure that's certain. Not like they're going to want to DH Salty or Ross. PawSox are in a playoff chase, so it could be a bit before the fourth catcher comes up. Butler will almost definitely make his MLB debut in September though, which will be super-cool for a former NDFA who didn't even start in college.
Brock Holt: Could see him coming up on Sept. 1 so that the team has a proper 2B backup, but given that he won't play much with Xander now ahead of him, could also see them leaving him in Pawtucket until their playoff run ends.
Alex Hassan: Before he fractured his finger, he might have been up 9/1 or even earlier (.363/.463/.606 vs LHP this year). Now, it all depends on how that heals. I'll admit again that he's made the Sox look good for a move that I killed them for during the offseason and early this year.
Bryce Brentz: Issue 1: health, as he only just started a GCL rehab assignment. Issue 2 (the bigger one): room on the 40-man. With the Xander call-up, Sox are now officially out of easy options to free up room without a DFA or outright assignment. One spot will need to be made when Buchholz returns. Another will need to be made if Contreras is getting called up today or at all (see below).
Bullpen options:
Jose Contreras: Chris Cotillo is reporting that he opted out of his deal this weekend, and rightfully speculates that he could come up today so they can keep him. Would need a 40-man move. Has pitched well in Pawtucket (his overall line is deceiving - he got shelled in two appearances but has been good in his other 6, as well as his AAA appearances w/ PIT), and the fact that they kept him when they released Lyon suggests he's in the plans. To be honest, I'm not sure they can justify making room on the 40 at this time.
Pedro Beato/Jose De La Torre: Likely up on Sept. 1 if they aren't already.
Brayan Villarreal: Has only made two appearances since coming off the DL. May not come up immediately, but it depends on how he looks. His issues with walks may make him too much of a liability for a call-up, although so far, so good on that in Pawtucket (1 BB in 2.1 IP)
Alex Wilson: Depends on what the deal is with his thumb. Hasn't pitched since 8/5.
Ryan Rowland-Smith: Again, the tough part is how do you make room on the 40-man for him, particularly given whatever marginal gain he'd be for them.
Steven Wright/Allen Webster: I think it's more likely they come up once Pawtucket's season ends. More important that Webster consolidate gains at this point, imo, although perhaps they could use him out of the bullpen in short spurts.
On 40-man, but no chance:
Christian Vazquez: He's got a great arm, but his overall defensive game gets a bit overrated because of that, based on some reports I've gotten. Gammons or someone will suggest bringing him up, but I can't see it happening.
Daniel Bard: No. Obv.
So, my projections:
Either up today or gone: Contreras
Up on 9/1: Bradley, Lavarnway, Beato, De La Torre, Holt
Up when/if proven healthy: Hassan, Wilson
Up when PAW season ends: Butler, Wright
On the fence for call-up: Webster, Villarreal
