Where the Red Sox stand after latest round of roster moves
FORT MYERS, Fla. - After the Red Sox' latest Grapefruit League game at JetBlue Park Wednesday, the team announced it was making some moves.
Second baseman Vaughn Grissom and pitchers Josh Winckowski and Luis Guerrero were being optioned to minor league camp, while catchers Nathan Hickey and Mark Kolozsvary were being reassigned to the minors.
The most notable name of the bunch was Grissom, who seemed to be getting first crack at winning a spot on the major league roster as one of the second basemen to go along with an infield of Alex Bregman, Trevor Story and Triston Casas.
But Grissom's slow start in the exhibition season opened the door for the other right-handed-hitting second base option at the position, Kristian Campbell. Over the past 10 days, the rookie was finding himself with the majority of starts at second base, with David Hamilton usually getting the nod when it wasn't Campbell.
With Hamilton seemingly certain to win a spot on the big league roster - in part because he would be considered the team's backup shortstop - a situation of mixing and matching the speedster with Campbell at second base has seemed like a logical path for some time.
Wednesday, an interesting alternative possibility surfaced when Marcelo Mayer got the first start of his life at second base after rarely working out at the position throughout camp. While the appearance by just be a chance to introduce Mayer to second base for future flexibility, such a move is eye-opening.
As was evident with the prioritization of Campbell at second, teams often use the groupings they feel will be representative of its regular season lineups throughout the final days of spring training. (Including the two games in Mexico, the Red Sox have six exhibition games remaining.) Every other player around Mayer against the Tigers could be considered a regular season regular, with the 22-year-old also playing the entire game.
While all three of the Red Sox' top prospects - Mayer, Campbell and Roman Anthony - have handled themselves well throughout spring training, it has been Mayer who has looked the most consistently comfortable both at the plate and in the field. That carried over to Wednesday, when he rifled a triple into the right field corner against Detroit starter Casey Mize while also making all the plays in the field.
“I think I'm always ready for anything, especially as a guy who's not established in the league at a position,” Mayer said. “You’ve got to be able to adapt and do whatever it takes.”
"Like I said, everybody has a shot," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.
If either Campbell or Mayer would make the Red Sox' Opening Day roster, it would mean taking up a 40-man roster spot. After the moves Wednesday, the Red Sox have 46 players in major league camp, 12 of which are non-roster invitees.·
The reassigning of Winckowski and Guerrero wasn't a surprise considering the pair's recent struggles. There still is, however, plenty of decisions to be made when it comes to filling out the pitching staff.
While Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello ease their way into regular season form - a progression that wouldn't likely leak into May for either - it would certainly seem that Richard Fitts will be joining the rotation along with Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler and Tanner Houck. (Note: Cora wouldn't commit to announcing such a move after Fitts' 4-inning, 3-run outing Wednesday.)
Candidates for the fifth spot in the rotation seem to include Cooper Criswell, Quinn Priester and non-roster invitee Sean Newcomb. Michael Fulmer - who doesn't have an opt-out - might be seen as a longer-term project as a starter while he continues to regain velocity. Of the bunch, Newcomb, who has pitched in 175 games (making 60 starts) has been the most impressive, allowing just one run over his 9 1/3 Grapefruit League innings.
Priester, Criswell and Fulmer can all be sent to Triple-A Worcester without needing to clear waivers.
As for the relievers, locks to make the team would appear to be Liam Hendriks (who closed out the win over the Tigers), Aroldis Chapman (who set-up Hendriks), Justin Slaten, Garrett Whitlock and Justin Wilson. Zack Kelly has performed well enough to seemingly earn a spot, while lefty Brennan Bernardino and righty Greg Weissert (both on the 40-man roster) also in the mix.
Veteran non-roster candidates Adam Ottavino and Matt Moore have looked like the expected versions of themselves, with both carrying opt-outs Sunday. They are each slated to pitch two more times before the March 23 decision day.
