The conclusion of the Major League Baseball (MLB) season signals the onset of the offseason, a period that allows teams to finalize crucial roster decisions. While the official offseason begins immediately after the World Series, the first five days serve as a transition phase where teams assess player options and free agents can only negotiate with their current clubs. On the evening of Monday, November 5, this transitional phase came to an end, coinciding with the deadline for teams to activate players from the 60-day injured list (IL).
The Boston Red Sox faced a considerable roster challenge following a season that saw seven of their players placed on the 60-day IL. To address this, the Red Sox executed a series of roster moves aimed at reducing their lineup to the required 40 players, making some key changes in the process.
As part of this roster overhaul, the Red Sox activated pitchers Justin Slaten, Johan Oviedo, and Kutter Crawford, along with first baseman Triston Casas and outfielder Eli White, all of whom had been sidelined on the 60-day IL. However, the team also designated right-hander Zack Kelly and left-hander Eduardo Rivera for assignment, a move that opens opportunities for other clubs to acquire these players.
Both Kelly and Rivera were part of the group that ended the season on the 60-day IL. Instead of activating them and making further roster cuts, the Red Sox decided to designate both pitchers for assignment. This strategic move allows for potential trade or acquisition opportunities by other teams.
Eduardo Rivera, who made his MLB debut earlier this season on April 22, bypassed the Triple-A level entirely after being called up from Double-A. His tenure in the big leagues was brief, consisting of four appearances where he surrendered seven earned runs across 10 innings pitched. Rivera's only appearances in the major leagues were primarily in mid-July, after which he was sent down to the minors due to performance issues. Ultimately, he was placed on the 60-day IL due to a lumbar strain, an injury that allowed the Red Sox to clear a roster spot ahead of the September expansion.
On the other hand, Zack Kelly made his debut for the Red Sox in 2022, having transferred from a Division 2 college pitching background. Over his time in the majors, he recorded a 4.04 ERA with 127 strikeouts in 131 1/3 innings pitched across 115 games. In the recent season, prior to his injury, he posted a 3.31 ERA over 17 MLB appearances in April and May. However, his performance was cut short due to right elbow inflammation that sidelined him for the rest of the season after early July.
Among the players activated from the injured list, Justin Slaten played a significant role in the Red Sox's performance during the previous season. He appeared in 36 games, maintaining a 4.60 ERA while serving as a reliable option in high-leverage situations. Unfortunately, Slaten’s season was marred by elbow issues, and he was ultimately shut down after mid-September upon doctors discovering degenerative changes in his flexor mass.
Eli White, who joined the Red Sox in a trade with the Atlanta Braves at the deadline, faced his own challenges. He underwent Lisfranc repair surgery after an injury sustained in early September. Meanwhile, Kutter Crawford and Triston Casas had their seasons affected by various injuries, which limited their playing time significantly. Crawford dealt with right flexor irritation, and Casas faced a plethora of injuries including issues with his knee, abdomen, and wrist. Johan Oviedo also struggled, appearing only once at the start of the season before being sidelined with a right flexor strain.
The recent roster moves reflect a busy first week of the offseason for the Red Sox. Following the season's conclusion, the team saw a total of 47 players on both the 40-man and 60-day IL lists. As such, the organization needed to eliminate seven spots from its roster by the specified deadline. The process started with Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Patrick Sandoval becoming free agents, which opened two roster spots. Additionally, a third spot was cleared when Sonny Gray's mutual option was declined, leading him to enter free agency as well.
Once those initial moves were made, Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow acted swiftly to further reduce the roster. He executed a trade with the Oakland Athletics, sending outfielder Nate Eaton in exchange for an 18-year-old minor league pitcher. Another trade saw infielder Tsung-Che Cheng moved to the Detroit Tigers for cash, illustrating the proactive approach the Red Sox are taking this offseason to revamp their roster.
Despite the recent roster adjustments, the Red Sox still face uncertain decisions as the offseason progresses. The team will have to ensure that they can create additional roster spots for any new player acquisitions. Furthermore, they may need to prepare for the November 17 deadline, which requires clubs to determine which prospects they will protect from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.
This year's offseason brings additional complexity with the uncertainty surrounding the Rule 5 Draft itself. Traditionally held in early December during the Winter Meetings, the likelihood of this draft proceeding as scheduled is now in question due to impending labor negotiations between players and owners, which may affect its timing and execution.
The Red Sox's current roster moves are just a glimpse into the broader strategy they are employing to reshape their team. With both players designated for assignment and several key players returning from the injured list, the organization is poised for an eventful offseason as they navigate roster rebuilding and the potential challenges ahead.
Source: Boston Herald
Illustration photo: SAS Scandinavian Airlines / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
