'MLBDepthCharts Magazine' includes this roster projection feature but includes additional info, such as player age, 2011 level and stats, 2012 salary and contract info in an easy-to-read, printer-friendly pdf file and excel spreadsheet.
*40-man roster total (40) *Projected 2012 Payroll: est. $175,000,000 according to MLBDC Magazine
RHP Andrew Bailey+ UPDATE 4/4 - placed on 60-Day DL (UCL surgery on thumb) RHP Chris CarpenterBA#14BP#14 + UPDATE 4/4 - placed on 60-Day DL (elbow surgery) RHP Bobby Jenks+UPDATE 2/21 - placed on 60-Day DL (back surgeries) RHP John Lackey+UPDATE 10/25/11 - underwent Tommy John surgery in November 2011
RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka+ UPDATE 4/4 - placed on 15-Day DL, retroactive to March 26th (Tommy John surgery) LHP Rich Hill+ UPDATE 4/4 - placed on 15-Day DL, retroactive to March 26th (Tommy John surgery) LHP Andrew Miller## + UPDATE 4/4 - placed on 15-Day DL, retroactive to March 26th (strained hamstring)
Lost in Rule V Draft/Traded •1B Miles Head UPDATE 12/28 - traded to A's •SS Marco ScutaroUPDATE 1/21 - traded to Rockies •IF Marwin Gonzalez UPDATE 12/8 - taken from Cubs in Rule V draft; traded to Houston •IF Jed Lowrie** UPDATE 12/14 - traded to Astros •OF Josh Reddick*UPDATE 12/28 - traded to A's •RHP Raul AlcantaraUPDATE 12/14 - traded to Astros •RHP Kyle WeilandUPDATE 12/14 - traded to Astros •LHP Cesar CabralUPDATE 12/8 - taken by Royals (Rule V)
BOSTON RED SOX
OFFSEASON PREVIEWposted 10/3/2011
We already know that the Sox will have a new manager in 2012 after it was announced that Terry Francona would not return for his 9th season with the club. The team also has ten free agents, including designated hitter David Ortiz and closer Jonathan Papelbon, so GM Theo Epstein, if he remains with the team, has a busy offseason ahead of him. There's too much talent on this team to think they won't come back strong in 2012. They might be wary of spending a ton of money once again on a big-name free agent after watching John Lackey and Carl Crawford struggle. They also lack the type of prospects that were able to land them Adrian Gonzalez before the season. So might we see a different approach from the Sox this offseason?
Jacoby Ellsbury: 30-30 man (32 HR, 39 SB)
Picture courtesy of Icon Sports Media, Inc.
Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, and Gonzalezare the heart and soul of the lineup and possibly one of the best trio of hitters on any team. Filling out their names on the lineup card every day will be the easiest part of the new manager's job. Filling out the rest of the lineup could be a challenge. Crawford had to be moved down in the order because he wasn't hitting. He's capable of wreaking havoc on the base paths but not unless he improves greatly on his .289 OBP from this season. Bringing back Ortiz would make sense after he posted a .953 OPS in 146 games at age 35. Lars Anderson and Ryan Lavarnway would be options if the team decides to fill the role in-house.
Picking up shortstop Marco Scutaro's $6 million option is very likely after prospect Jose Iglesiasposted a .554 OPS in his first season in Triple-A. The 21 year-old has Gold Glove potential but it wouldn't hurt to keep him in the minors until he's had at least moderate offensive success. Penciling Jed Lowrie into a starting spot is also tough to do considering he spent a majority of the season on the disabled list again and didn't come close to his second half production of 2010 (.907 OPS) when he was healthy. Josh Reddick was much better than advertised (.280 BA, 7 HR, 28 RBI in 87 games) but he probably won't be handed the right field job after struggling the last two months of the season. If Ryan Kalish returns to full strength after an injury-plagued season, he could challenge for the job.
Josh Beckett and Jon Lesterboth pitched well in 2011 but didn't have the type of Cy Young-caliber seasons that they are capable of having. Clay Buchholz only made 14 starts because of a stress fracture in his back andLackey was a complete disaster (6.41 ERA in 28 starts). Andrew Miller is still in the mix but he may be too inconsistent to count on every five days. Alfredo Aceves, who may have been the team's most reliable pitcher down the stretch, is an option to move into the rotation. Their bullpen actually needs a lot more help going into the offseason so they might want to leave Aceves there.
While Daniel Bardis probably ready to be a successful big league closer, the Sox will try to re-sign Papelbon so Bard can remain in his very important role as the 8th inning setup man. If Aceves isn't in the rotation, he could fill a setup role. Bobby Jenks, who spent three separate stints on the disabled list in his first year with the team, is signed for another season. The Sox will be hoping for more than the 19 appearances and 6.32 ERA he gave them this season. Dan Wheeler, who pitched well after a bad start, has a $3M club option. Matt Albers, Michael Bowden, and Franklin Morales all figure into the mix for middle relief jobs andJunichi Tazawa could also get a look as a reliever. The 25 year-old was impressive in eight late-season relief appearances for Triple-A Pawtucket (2.51 ERA, 14.1 IP, 14 H, 3 BB, 19 K).
•UPDATE 10/25 - Lackey will undergo Tommy John surgery, which is most likely going to force him to miss the 2012 season. Starting pitching was already a priority so you can expect new GM Ben Cherington to work hard on filling out the back of his rotation.
•UPDATE 10/30 - Scutaro had his club option exercised. He'll start at shortstop and Iglesias will likely spend another season in the minors.
•UPDATE 10/31 - Wheeler had his club option declined.
•UPDATE 11/11 - Papelbon has agreed to terms with Philadelphia so the Sox will have a new closer in 2012. In other news, Aceves has been told to come to Spring Training prepared to start. It will make the current bullpen projection even more bleak but I'm going to project him over Miller and Kyle Weiland in the rotation. •UPDATE 12/7 - Ortiz has accepted arbitration, so he'll return on a one-year deal if they cannot work out a multi-year deal before the arbitration hearing. •UPDATE 12/11 - Cherington has confirmed that Bard will go to Spring Training as a starter. If that's the case, he'll have some work to do with his bullpen. They need a closer and probably a setup man. Bard will be stretched out to 5-6 innings by the end of the spring. He could still pitch out of the 'pen to begin the season if he doesn't win a rotation spot. •UPDATE 12/14 - Astros closer Mark Melancon was acquired for Lowrie and pitcher Kyle Weiland. The 26 year-old could close for the Sox or he could set up for a closer-yet-to-be-acquired. Free Agent Ryan Madson still looks like a strong bet to sign in Boston.
Offseason Needs: Starting Pitcher(s), Closer, Setup Man, Right Fielder
Sure, if Crawford is batting 2nd. My belief is that they're gonna give him every chance to hit at the top of the order again. If he struggles, they'll move him back down to the bottom of the order and Pedroia would be in the #2 spot again.
Felix Dubront is out of options . He will be kept before of Atchison & Bowden.The fact that Bowden also is out of options gives him the edge over Atchison to at least break camp with the club.
Thanks. I found the article that said he was out of options. Interesting, since he's only been in the big leagues in 2 seasons. Thought he would have one more. Atchison has been removed and brought back to the 40-man roster so many times, it wouldn't surprise me to see him DFA'd, clear waivers, and outrighted to the minors again before the start of the season.
Hey Jason: Don't you think it is time to take Jenks out of the bullpen projection? Sounds like there is no way he will be ready for the season after the second back surgery.
The last update I read put him at doubtful for the start of Spring Training. I don't know enough yet about the injury to take him off the projected 25-man but it's getting close to that point. Have you heard anything different?
No I guess your right, Jason. I guess they are only conceding the start of Spring Training, sorry about that. But an article from NESN says the surgery has an 8-10 weeks recovery time. So I guess there is a chance as long, as there are no set backs.
Aside from Miller, who is not consistent enough to guarantee a roster spot anyways, they're all on minor league deals and are considered insurance. With that said, I'd expect Cook and Padilla to win roster spots if healthy. That's a big IF after both missed most of last year with injuries. I'd move them into the projected 25 pretty quick if they look strong in late-February, early-March.
Definitely. Without injuries, I think an ideal situation is to give him 2 months of regular AB's in AAA and then bring him up in the summer to give the Sox some power off the bench and an occasional starter vs LHP's.
As an avid fan of the site would prefer to see Crawford listed in the lineup, as he is only out for the start of the season. It would provide a more accurate view of the team long term for someone perusing the site in the offseason.
I've added a 'Projected Disabled List' section just under the projected 25-man. Although Crawford may not miss much time, his return date is not known and I'll always list the latest update next to his name. That way, readers can get an idea of the state of the roster. Hope that helps.
During the season, the page is always current as of that day in regards to the disabled list. So this is a more consistent way to display the team in the offseason, in my opinion. Thanks for the feedback!
What r the chances coco comes back to boston seeing how the A's sighned Cespedese and have? a good crop of young outfield prospects in the minors and that tehy could use a decent, well-liked outielder. Also coco is a switch hittter who will help that mostly left batting order. And he has experiance in LF. And who do uthink the sox will get to be a back up infielder? They cant expect Ciriacio to be any good. I mean he didnt even make the pirates when they had Ronny Cedenio at short.
Don't think there's a fit for Coco. Crawford, when healthy, is the LF. Ellsbury is the CF. I like Kalish to take over in RF at some point so you don't want to block him. For now, Cody Ross is there and Ryan Sweeney is a solid backup for all 3 spots.
As far as Ciriaco, I threw him in there because he's a good defensive SS, but I think another backup OF is better fit on the bench than another infielder. They just don't really have another one that makes sense to me, unless Daniel Nava wins the spot.
I don't see Cook in the starting rotation. He hasn't even pitched yet in ST. Boston brain trust includes Bill James, who once said pitchers who K less than 6 per 9 innings cannot be effective starters. Compare Cook's stats to Aceves' and tell me who you'd pick between the two.
I think Aceves is the best option for the rotation, but I also don't think they can afford to move he and Bard out of the bullpen. Bailey and Melancon can handle the 8th and 9th innings, but they currently don't have a reliable 7th inning guy, which I believe Aceves can be. If they feel Bowden, Tazawa, or Albers can be that guy, maybe the allow Aceves to start. I don't think that's the case, though.
I believe Cook is gonna pitch soon and he has a chance to be ready for Opening Day. It also might not matter because they can go without a #5 starter until late April because of all the off days.
Aaron Cook - S - Red Sox Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine indicated Monday that Aaron Cook is out of the team's rotation race. Cook opened camp a few weeks late due to concerns about his troublesome right shoulder. "Will he get enough innings to start in the major leagues at the beginning of the season? I doubt it," Valentine said. "Seems he's like he's on a pace for 17-18 innings if all goes well. If we have the innings to give him, maybe, but I doubt it." Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Miller, Felix Doubront and Vicente Padilla are still in the hunt for that job. Source: Boston Globe Mar 12 - 11:42 AM
Thanks for the info! I still think Cook joins the rotation at some point during the season. If healthy, he's the most consistent and probably the best option for the #5 spot.
They've both played every position in the past and I went with Sweeney after seeing that he played more LF than RF last season. However, I've looked up the lineups for the spring and while they haven't been in the lineup much together, Ross is in LF and Sweeney in RF today. I'll make the change.
Complicating the matter. Adding Atchison, Spears, Padilla, Ciriaco or Cook all entail clearing a spot on the 40 man roster. Not a lot of candidates. Mortenson? Chris Carpenter? Those would certainly be embarrassing. Others most likely...Bowden (??) & Stolmy Pimental (?). The Sox got a problem. Thanks Theo. Good luck Ben...
Carpenter and Daisuke would go to the 60-Day DL. Not sure if any of the others will be out that long. Someone else would have to go. They could either recall Mortensen to take the long relief role, or DFA him.
He was reassigned to the minors and he did accept. I think he'll be back at some point. Looked good in the spring. Unfortunately, tracking the non-roster players was at the bottom of my priority list this offseason so once they were reassigned, I just deleted them. I'll have him on the Triple-A roster when I get back to those in a few days.
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39 comments:
Bards in the rotation.
Until they acquire a closer, he's not. At least not on my projections.
Theoretically, what would the rotation look like if Lackey and Matsuzaka were healthy?
Exactly the same as the start of last season.
Would they really bat Pedroia third?
Sure, if Crawford is batting 2nd. My belief is that they're gonna give him every chance to hit at the top of the order again. If he struggles, they'll move him back down to the bottom of the order and Pedroia would be in the #2 spot again.
Felix Dubront is out of options . He will be kept before of Atchison & Bowden.The fact that Bowden also is out of options gives him the edge over Atchison to at least break camp with the club.
Thanks. I found the article that said he was out of options. Interesting, since he's only been in the big leagues in 2 seasons. Thought he would have one more. Atchison has been removed and brought back to the 40-man roster so many times, it wouldn't surprise me to see him DFA'd, clear waivers, and outrighted to the minors again before the start of the season.
Hey Jason:
Don't you think it is time to take Jenks out of the bullpen projection? Sounds like there is no way he will be ready for the season after the second back surgery.
The last update I read put him at doubtful for the start of Spring Training. I don't know enough yet about the injury to take him off the projected 25-man but it's getting close to that point. Have you heard anything different?
No I guess your right, Jason. I guess they are only conceding the start of Spring Training, sorry about that. But an article from NESN says the surgery has an 8-10 weeks recovery time. So I guess there is a chance as long, as there are no set backs.
I don't think they signed Cook, Padilla, Silva, and Miller so they can all be in Pawtucket.
Aside from Miller, who is not consistent enough to guarantee a roster spot anyways, they're all on minor league deals and are considered insurance. With that said, I'd expect Cook and Padilla to win roster spots if healthy. That's a big IF after both missed most of last year with injuries. I'd move them into the projected 25 pretty quick if they look strong in late-February, early-March.
Do you think Lavarnway is the first man up if there's an injury or ineptitude at C or DH?
Definitely. Without injuries, I think an ideal situation is to give him 2 months of regular AB's in AAA and then bring him up in the summer to give the Sox some power off the bench and an occasional starter vs LHP's.
So I don't know if the publisher reads the comments, but both McDonald and Sweeney are penciled in right field, one needs to go to left.
Thanks for the catching that!
As an avid fan of the site would prefer to see Crawford listed in the lineup, as he is only out for the start of the season. It would provide a more accurate view of the team long term for someone perusing the site in the offseason.
No big deal on catching the outfield situation, we don't want an equivalent of Andy Sonnanstine batting for Evan Longoria lol
Re: Lineup listing
I've added a 'Projected Disabled List' section just under the projected 25-man. Although Crawford may not miss much time, his return date is not known and I'll always list the latest update next to his name. That way, readers can get an idea of the state of the roster. Hope that helps.
During the season, the page is always current as of that day in regards to the disabled list. So this is a more consistent way to display the team in the offseason, in my opinion. Thanks for the feedback!
What r the chances coco comes back to boston seeing how the A's sighned Cespedese and have? a good crop of young outfield prospects in the minors and that tehy could use a decent, well-liked outielder. Also coco is a switch hittter who will help that mostly left batting order. And he has experiance in LF. And who do uthink the sox will get to be a back up infielder? They cant expect Ciriacio to be any good. I mean he didnt even make the pirates when they had Ronny Cedenio at short.
Don't think there's a fit for Coco. Crawford, when healthy, is the LF. Ellsbury is the CF. I like Kalish to take over in RF at some point so you don't want to block him. For now, Cody Ross is there and Ryan Sweeney is a solid backup for all 3 spots.
As far as Ciriaco, I threw him in there because he's a good defensive SS, but I think another backup OF is better fit on the bench than another infielder. They just don't really have another one that makes sense to me, unless Daniel Nava wins the spot.
Hill was added to the 40 man couple days ago. Just an fyi.
He's on there. I have him on the projected DL but he's in bold.
Rich Hill is listed twice, leading to Billy's comment.
Aha! Thank you very much.
I don't see Cook in the starting rotation. He hasn't even pitched yet in ST. Boston brain trust includes Bill James, who once said pitchers who K less than 6 per 9 innings cannot be effective starters. Compare Cook's stats to Aceves' and tell me who you'd pick between the two.
I think Aceves is the best option for the rotation, but I also don't think they can afford to move he and Bard out of the bullpen. Bailey and Melancon can handle the 8th and 9th innings, but they currently don't have a reliable 7th inning guy, which I believe Aceves can be. If they feel Bowden, Tazawa, or Albers can be that guy, maybe the allow Aceves to start. I don't think that's the case, though.
I believe Cook is gonna pitch soon and he has a chance to be ready for Opening Day. It also might not matter because they can go without a #5 starter until late April because of all the off days.
Cook's out of the running:
Aaron Cook - S - Red Sox
Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine indicated Monday that Aaron Cook is out of the team's rotation race.
Cook opened camp a few weeks late due to concerns about his troublesome right shoulder. "Will he get enough innings to start in the major leagues at the beginning of the season? I doubt it," Valentine said. "Seems he's like he's on a pace for 17-18 innings if all goes well. If we have the innings to give him, maybe, but I doubt it." Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Miller, Felix Doubront and Vicente Padilla are still in the hunt for that job.
Source: Boston Globe Mar 12 - 11:42 AM
Thanks for the info! I still think Cook joins the rotation at some point during the season. If healthy, he's the most consistent and probably the best option for the #5 spot.
I still think it will either be Doubront or Aceves for the 5th spot (at least to start the season)
whats with sweeney in LF he's got a strong accurate arm and good range, would ross be more suited to LF.
They've both played every position in the past and I went with Sweeney after seeing that he played more LF than RF last season. However, I've looked up the lineups for the spring and while they haven't been in the lineup much together, Ross is in LF and Sweeney in RF today. I'll make the change.
Complicating the matter. Adding Atchison, Spears, Padilla, Ciriaco or Cook all entail clearing a spot on the 40 man roster. Not a lot of candidates. Mortenson? Chris Carpenter? Those would certainly be embarrassing. Others most likely...Bowden (??) & Stolmy Pimental (?). The Sox got a problem. Thanks Theo. Good luck Ben...
Carpenter and Daisuke would go to the 60-Day DL. Not sure if any of the others will be out that long. Someone else would have to go. They could either recall Mortensen to take the long relief role, or DFA him.
Jason,
What happened to Aaron Cook? Was he released? Assigned to AAA? If so, did he accept it?
He was reassigned to the minors and he did accept. I think he'll be back at some point. Looked good in the spring. Unfortunately, tracking the non-roster players was at the bottom of my priority list this offseason so once they were reassigned, I just deleted them. I'll have him on the Triple-A roster when I get back to those in a few days.
Bowden and exposito were designated for assignment today
This is the offseason page. Regular season page here: http://www.mlbdepthcharts.com/2012/02/boston-red-sox-2012-major-league-roster.html
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