Yesterday, I wrote that I’m beginning to settle for the more and more doubtless risk that the Purple Sox are usually not going so as to add an infielder earlier than opening day, leaving second base to be lined by a platoon of Romy Gonzalez and David Hamilton. It appears to me to be a transparent case of roster mismanagement to enter the season with holes within the infield whereas the outfield stays overcrowded (arguably for the second 12 months in a row). And but, Craig Breslow doesn’t appear to thoughts. In truth, a brand new report says that the Purple Sox are exploring the opportunity of including yet one more outfielder, particularly a right-handed one in an try to steadiness out the lineup. (Katie Woo, Will Sammon, The Athletic)
There’s no query that the Purple Sox lineup might actually use a right-handed bat, even when there doesn’t appear to be a lot room for one which doesn’t include an infield glove. However they’ll start the season with somewhat further wiggle room within the DH rotation, as Triston Casas is just not anticipated to be “full go” till at the least the beginning of Could. However that also leaves 5 gamers for 4 spots, even earlier than any hypothetical right-handed outfielder is added to the combination. (Ian Browne, MLB.com)
Maybe they’re pivoting to the outfield as a result of they’ve given up Isaac Paredes (to the extent that they had been ever critically in on him, that’s). The Common Supervisor of the Houston Astros, Dan Brown, not too long ago acknowledged that they’re planning on having Paredes within the lineup this 12 months, although the repeated “proper nows” on this assertion appear to depart quite a lot of wiggle room:
And let’s face it, past Paredes and the pipe dream of Nico Hoerner, there simply isn’t that a lot thrilling infield expertise on the market. Ramon Urias has been named as a risk and the Sox have checked in on him, however they don’t appear too tempted and have proven solely “lukewarm curiosity” in him. (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
Although the Sox have procrastinated within the infield, they proceed to be very lively in including minor league pitchers. The newest addition is 33-year-old Kyle Keller, who has spent the final 4 years discovering success as a reliever for the Hanshin Tigers and Yomiuri Giants in Japan. (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
