As sad as it would be, Benintendi is a candidate for the 60-day DL. Hanigan and Koji are the only others on the 15-day DL at the moment, and they're both expected back within the next week or so. Hanigan's already on a rehab assignment.
The September Callup Thread
- Thread starter Rasputin
- Start date
No Hembree? He could help vs. RHHs, we're really going to need that versus the Jays and O's.
Must be a Sept. 5th call up.
Yeah I would assume Hembree, Brentz, Vaz and maybe Johnson who has pitched well lately would come up when the Pawsox season is over.
Johnson's season is over but he did just pitch so no rush to bring him up. They could bring Owens up instead I suppose but I'm not a fan. Alternatively they could just tell those guys to stay in shape and the Sox could break glass in case of emergency.
Johnson's season is over but he did just pitch so no rush to bring him up. They could bring Owens up instead I suppose but I'm not a fan. Alternatively they could just tell those guys to stay in shape and the Sox could break glass in case of emergency.
So someone is getting cut from the 40 man? I wonder if we'll see Jerez at all, he's been a train wreck but he has a live arm and is already on the 40. Unless he's the one cut, I suppose.
edit: Unless Benny gets moved to the 60 day...
edit: Unless Benny gets moved to the 60 day...
To mark the annual expansion of major league rosters in September, relievers Joe Kelly and Robby Scott and infielder Deven Marrero will be called up from Triple-A Pawtucket, the Red Sox announced late Thursday night. In addition, catcher Ryan Hanigan will be reinstated from the disabled list after missing nearly all of August with left ankle tendinitis.
http://www.espn.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/50731/starter-turned-reliever-joe-kelly-part-of-red-soxs-first-wave-of-september-callups
http://www.espn.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/50731/starter-turned-reliever-joe-kelly-part-of-red-soxs-first-wave-of-september-callups
At the bottom of Lauber's article (cited by E5 above) he explains that Hembree is ineligible to be recalled until 5 Sep since he was optioned down on the 26th:
[QUOTE="One notable omission from the first wave of call-ups: reliever Heath Hembree. Because Hembree was optioned to Triple-A on Aug. 26, he isn't eligible to be called up until Sept. 5, at which point he is expected to rejoin the Red Sox.[/QUOTE]
My guess is that they DFA Jerez to make room for Scott today and then Holaday when they bring up Vazquez in order to make room for Kyle Martin if they think he can play a role ahead of Elias.
Interesting tidbit from Heyman about Vazquez I had not heard in his Boston review:
Boston Red Sox
David Price’s resurgence is a major boost, and should help get the Red Sox into the playoffs. “He’s a pitcher now, and he’s pitching to contact,” one AL scout says … Rick Porcello has been magnificent, and his 18 wins could be 19 if manager John Farrell didn’t press the issue in Tampa Bay. “One batter too many, or maybe two,” one scout said … Yoan Moncada has officially been called up. But that might be a gamble. Moncada is only 20, and he’s not proven as a third baseman. “Not ready,” says a scout … While Sandy Leon may win himself a No. 1 catching job, Christian Vasquez got a wake up call. Bosses believed he’d stopped doing the little things and was swinging for the fences, so they sent a message … The Red Sox made the right call to put Clay Buchholz in the bullpen. Though not tough for one AL scout: “He should be in the pen. I don’t trust him starting.”
Boston Red Sox
David Price’s resurgence is a major boost, and should help get the Red Sox into the playoffs. “He’s a pitcher now, and he’s pitching to contact,” one AL scout says … Rick Porcello has been magnificent, and his 18 wins could be 19 if manager John Farrell didn’t press the issue in Tampa Bay. “One batter too many, or maybe two,” one scout said … Yoan Moncada has officially been called up. But that might be a gamble. Moncada is only 20, and he’s not proven as a third baseman. “Not ready,” says a scout … While Sandy Leon may win himself a No. 1 catching job, Christian Vasquez got a wake up call. Bosses believed he’d stopped doing the little things and was swinging for the fences, so they sent a message … The Red Sox made the right call to put Clay Buchholz in the bullpen. Though not tough for one AL scout: “He should be in the pen. I don’t trust him starting.”
I think you're right about Jerez getting the DFA. A converted outfielder getting poor results as a reliever at AA is not likely to get scooped up, even at this time of year.
And I don't think the Sox are likely to call up Martin, actually. Farrell's got to work on getting his playoff bullpen sorted out, rather than give folks try-outs, so I expect the only other later adds will be Hembree and Uehara.
I'd guess O'Sullivan over Jerez, just because Jerez only converted in 2014 and he's still 24 and Elias/Owens are probably first in line to spot start in a potentially meaningless game in the last series of the season. The scouting profile on Jerez on Sox Prospects at least suggests upside.
Moncada is 21 as of this past May...though of course that doesn't necessarily mean he's ready. Hope the scout who said that is wrong....
He also only has to be better than what Shaw has given them lately. (assuming a platoon at least to start with).
The other possibility - if they feel they have enough without bringing anyone new to the 40-man - is to just DFA Holladay today, knowing they'll be bringing up Vazquez as the 3rd catcher. Given we don't really know their evaluation of the 2017+ potential and thus vulnerability of Noe, Owens, Elias, Cuevas, Jerez, Abad, Hembree, Brentz, Marrero and Hernandez, we can't really rule any of them in or out. If they want to be conservative and keep their options open however, they can keep all those guys and only lose Holladay.
The bullpen available right now is:
RH
Kimbrel (25)
Buchholz (25)
Kelly (25)
Ziegler (25)
Barnes (25)
Tazawa (25)
Uehara (DL15)
Workman (DL60) - is he rehabbing yet or done for the year?
Hembree (40)
N Ramirez (40)
Cuevas (40)
LH
Ross (25)
Scott (25)
Abad (25)
Owens (40)
B Johnson (40)
Elias (40)
(obviously I know there's no 25-man but only a 40-man for the rest of the year but I'm using '(25)' to denote those on or who have already been called up to the MLB club.)
The bullpen available right now is:
RH
Kimbrel (25)
Buchholz (25)
Kelly (25)
Ziegler (25)
Barnes (25)
Tazawa (25)
Uehara (DL15)
Workman (DL60) - is he rehabbing yet or done for the year?
Hembree (40)
N Ramirez (40)
Cuevas (40)
LH
Ross (25)
Scott (25)
Abad (25)
Owens (40)
B Johnson (40)
Elias (40)
(obviously I know there's no 25-man but only a 40-man for the rest of the year but I'm using '(25)' to denote those on or who have already been called up to the MLB club.)
I would have agreed before Beni got hurt, but they only have 5 healthy OF on the 40 man now. Though Shaw could probably play LF in a pinch.
Edit: Technically Rusney could be added in an emergency, but that ain't happening since another 40 man spot would be needed.
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Pete Abraham @PeteAbe 2h2 hours ago
#RedSox announce they will add Heath Hembree, Noe Ramirez and Christian Vazquez on Monday.
#RedSox announce they will add Heath Hembree, Noe Ramirez and Christian Vazquez on Monday.
I'm surprised that they're not bringing up Brian Johnson for a cup of coffee. Especially since there's no obvious long-relief man in the bullpen while Buchholz is back in the rotation.
Scott has started a few games and gone 4 innings, so he can go 3 if needed, Ramirez has often gone 2 innings so stretching to 3 isn't a lift for him either. Plus with so many people up you could just have 6 people pitch an inning if necessary.
It's not clear to me how much you need a long relief guy when you have so many arms in the pen. With Monday's call-ups and the impending arrival of Koji but with Clay back into the rotation they now have 11 relievers who need to get work in from time-to-time to stay effective. Logistically that will be pretty hard to do.
RH
Kimbrel
Kelly
Uehara
Ziegler
Barnes
Tazawa
Hembree
Ramirez
LH
Ross
Scott
Abad
If they play an 18-inning game or something they can always bring Owens, Elias or Johnson in the next night or two and there's also the possibility of Wright's availability for long relief before too long (depending on how his recovery progresses of course)
RH
Kimbrel
Kelly
Uehara
Ziegler
Barnes
Tazawa
Hembree
Ramirez
LH
Ross
Scott
Abad
If they play an 18-inning game or something they can always bring Owens, Elias or Johnson in the next night or two and there's also the possibility of Wright's availability for long relief before too long (depending on how his recovery progresses of course)
Castillo should definitely be called up. They can DFA him after the season again. Would cost less than $1 million, but then we'd have an actual good fielding outfielder on the bench.
Who should they DFA to get him on the 40 man? While I agree it would be nice to have a decent fielding outfielder on the bench I don't think it is worth it. If AB weren't coming back they could 60 day DL him but it seems like he will be.
As a note I saw Rusney play in Pawtucket yesterday and wasn't impressed. He had one decent line drive but also hit 3 soft ground balls. The one he hit to lead off the game might have been a base hit if he actually ran down the line.
"The one he hit to lead off the game might have been a base hit if he actually ran down the line."
Not my money but $70 million and he can't run out a grounder?
Not my money but $70 million and he can't run out a grounder?
No one name Haladay on the Sox and Brentz might have value still.
Your proposal is preposterous.
Your proposal is preposterous.
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Isn't the other main reason that Castillo is off the 40-man is that his contract doesn't count toward the luxury tax? Why would they bother to add him back onto the roster for a month's woprth of games as a defensive replacement?
Because he's a much better defensive replacement. It would cost less than a million including the taxes. The Red Sox are not the A's and can afford to make the team better, even if it's a slight improvement.
Preposterous seems a little excessive. Are you really worried about losing our 4th catcher or saving about $800K?
It isn't like there is an outfielder that needs to be replaced for defense. Benintendi will be back in a week or so(hopefully) and at that point there will always be a good defensive OF on the bench in case something happens.
Preposterous may be a touch excessive but it isn't happening.
Preposterous may be a touch excessive but it isn't happening.
Who would he be defensively replacing exactly? It's not even clear he's better than Chris Young.
Young is pretty awful in the outfield and Benintendi isn't back yet. Mookie and JBJ could get some rest in blowouts like the last two games.
I don't see a valid argument against it. Because they really need to save $800k? Because they can't afford to lose Holaday?
I think grimshaw exaggerated for effect there, but the point is that the Sox don't need defensive replacements on the bench because they don't have any starting outfielders who are poor defenders and just in the lineup for their bats. No Mannys or Jason Bays on this team. A Rusney promotion would be an expensive solution in search of a problem.
It's not about money, it's about chances.
The biggest reason not to bother calling up Castillo is his negative baserunning value. He's so fast, but because he can't even be relied upon not to make a boneheaded out on the bases there's no point taking away opportunities from someone who might actually have a chance to make it onto the playoff roster.
Benintendi will be hopefully be back soon. Young and Holt are both acceptable enough defensive outfielders. There's just no point bringing Rusney on board.
The biggest reason not to bother calling up Castillo is his negative baserunning value. He's so fast, but because he can't even be relied upon not to make a boneheaded out on the bases there's no point taking away opportunities from someone who might actually have a chance to make it onto the playoff roster.
Benintendi will be hopefully be back soon. Young and Holt are both acceptable enough defensive outfielders. There's just no point bringing Rusney on board.
Young has been -8.4 UZR/150 this year in the outfield and I'd argue he looks much worse than that given that the sample size isn't big enough. But I'm not going to argue about this all day. Just seems a little odd that people don't notice how bad Young has been defensively. Holt hasn't been very good in LF either this year.
Meanwhile, according to BP, Castillo has been +10/150 in CF this year in AAA, which is about what JBJ has done in the majors.
You do realize citing UZr stats based on Young's tiny sample is beyond stupid? It tells you nothing about his defensive abilities. The eye test tells me he's average - maybe even slightly below average. I don't think that merits being replaced (defensively) by the likes of Castillo. For sure Castillo is a better defender but in every other aspect of the game Young is better.
That's why I said the sample size wasn't big enough and that he looks worse than that to me.
He's +1.6 for his career and has backed up all 3 spots (including last year). It's just not an effective argument that bringing up Castillo to play the 8th and 9th innings in what, maybe 10 games?, is worth the miniscule upgrade.
He'll just get pinch hit for anyhow in those close games.
Young has flubbed two easy balls this year that I think are standing out too much here. He's a solid average fielder overall.
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If it's a blowout, does it really matter if Mookie's replacement can play defense?
So FYI:
Brian MacPherson @brianmacp 2m2 minutes ago
Farrell: "There was discussion" about bringing back Castillo for September, but the return to health of Young made Castillo redundant.
Brian MacPherson @brianmacp 2m2 minutes ago
Farrell: "There was discussion" about bringing back Castillo for September, but the return to health of Young made Castillo redundant.
Young has been below average in the last 3 seasons and is unplayable in CF and in RF in Fenway. Castillo is a plus to elite defensive outfielder at any position.