Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 6, 2020 12:00:22 GMT -5
Red Sox enter final third of dismal 2020 season
By Bill Koch
Journal Sports Writer
BillKoch25
Posted Sep 5, 2020 at 6:23 PM Updated Sep 5, 2020 at 7:07 PM
BOSTON --- The Red Sox entered the final third of this shortened 2020 season on Saturday night.
Boston took the field at Fenway Park for its 41st game, hosting the Blue Jays. Its current position in the American League East standings – last place and five games behind its closest rival, the Orioles – forces the club to look beyond this October.
Eddie Romero was at the alternate site in Pawtucket for the afternoon’s simulated game. Nick Pivetta and Jay Groome took the mound with the assistant general manager and executive vice president watching closely. Deivy Grullon homered to right-center at McCoy Stadium against Pivetta in a matchup of ex-Phillies.
“We’ve talked about a lot of different things,” Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said. “Unfortunately, we’re in a position where we can try some things.”
More than half of the club’s 28-man roster against Toronto made its Red Sox debut this season. Additional unfamiliar faces could be on the way next week with a pair of scheduled off days coming on Monday and Wednesday. Boston travels to Philadelphia for a Tuesday doubleheader without Nathan Eovaldi (right calf strain), Andrew Benintendi (right rib cage strain) and Darwinzon Hernandez (sprained SC joint) among others.
Right-hander Andrew Triggs will start Sunday’s series finale against Toronto. He was claimed off waivers from the Giants on Aug. 19 and appeared for the first time in this week’s three-game series against the Braves. The Red Sox are unlikely to name starters for Tuesday until 24 hours prior to the first pitch.
“We’ve talked about somebody who’s at the alternate site, who’s there now,” Roenicke said. “I don’t want to say names.
“One guy hears it, but then everybody else hears it, too. It’s kind of a downer if your name isn’t mentioned. I would rather not mention names.”
Pivetta is likely to be kept in Pawtucket long enough to delay his service time and push his eventual free agency to 2025. Prospect right-hander Tanner Houck and left-hander Stephen Gonsalves are both possibilities despite being off the current 40-man roster. There doesn’t figure to be too much long-term safety for those at the fringes of a 13-27 organization.
It would be stunning to see someone like Groome or Bryan Mata – two talented prospects who haven’t appeared in a game above Double-A – summoned to make a start. Mata left his last simulated game outing with a left hamstring cramp and hasn’t appeared since. Groome recorded 15 outs on Saturday but has finished just four professional innings since 2017.
Boston’s pitching staff is the worst in baseball, posting a 6.06 earned-run average. Its starters (6.61 ERA, last) and relievers (5.63 ERA, 27th out of 30 teams) have been almost equally dreadful. That this is all the help the Red Sox could summon through the first 40 games should be instructive regarding what remains for the final 20.
Roenicke also mentioned another possible regular being added to the mix in the near future. C.J. Chatham is on the 40-man roster and would enhance the glut of utility men available to Roenicke on a given night. Chatham’s inability to lock down a certain defensive position has left him behind the likes of infielders Michael Chavis, Jose Peraza, Tzu-Wei Lin and Jonathan Arauz.
“Maybe he’s a utility man,” Roenicke said. “Maybe he ends up just at one spot. I think it’s important for him to play different positions and that’s what they’ve been doing with him.”
Boston appears committed to a select few at the moment. Rafael Devers at third base, Xander Bogaerts at shortstop, Christian Vazquez at catcher, Jackie Bradley Jr. in center field, Alex Verdugo in right field and J.D. Martinez serving as the designated hitter is a likely configuration though the rest of September. First base, second base and left field should see what amount to live auditions for a future with the Red Sox in 2021 and beyond.