phenweigh said:
Wright will be out of options next season. I suspect he'll be in the pen next season as long man/spot starter.
Escobar is out of options, too.
If DDski really wants to keep one or both of Wright and Escobar, he'll have to find room in the MLB staff. Wright has certainly pitched well enough that Beane or Theo would likely take a flyer on him at minimum salary, should DDski try to outright him to Pawtucket. Escobar, with his recent mediocrity in AAA, might sneak through unclaimed. Though he might not. It might not matter.
Here's how 2016 should break down for the current starting options:
MLB 5+ years AST (can refuse assignment to AAA): Buchholz, Porcello
MLB 3-5 years AST (must pass through waivers): Miley, Kelly
MLB <3 years AST (w/ remaining options listed): Wright (0), Escobar (0), Rodriguez (2), Workman (2), Barnes (2), Owens (3), Johnson (3)
Which means, barring a trade or injury, the MLB rotation "locks" are Buchholz, Porcello, Miley, and Kelly. There's room for one FA acquisition, or for one of the minimum salary guys, but not both. If the Sox wanted the opening day rotation to include, say, both Cueto and EdRo, then one of the four "locks" needs to be bumped off to the bullpen or another team.
If Kelly had sucked since his call-up, he'd likely be headed for bullpen work, but he's been really good, with genuine improvement as well as luck. So I can't imagine the Sox demoting him now. IMO, Kelly's resurgence in results (and Porcello's) means the three main issues for DDski are:
1.) who should be acquired to lead the staff, and at what cost;
2.) what is Clay Buchholz' value as a pitcher and as a trade chip; and
3.) should Miley remain as a league-average innings eater, or are the minimum salary guys worth taking an upside gamble to start the season.