Alex Cora on the potential promotion of WooSox' Nick Sogard: 'It's just a matter of time'
Red Sox skipper Alex Cora offered an endorsement for WooSox utility man Nick Sogard, leaving speculation as to whether he’ll earn a big league promotion.
“(Nick Sogard), he’s playing great; he’s doing an outstanding job,” Cora said to reporters before Wednesday night’s game at Fenway Park. “Playing good defense, putting good at bats from the left side and right side, just got to make sure people know it, right? That’s what I’m doing right now, and that’s a player. When people are talking about you and you’re in Triple-A, you know you’re on the radar. It’s just a matter of time.”
The Red Sox have seen Enmanuel Valdez and Jamie Westbrook offer help to the big league roster this season, showing off the organization's improved depth at the Triple-A level.
The 26-year-old is having a great season with the WooSox batting .283 with 10 home runs, 45 RBI, nine stolen bases, and an .841 OPS through 75 games, and he’s currently tied for the team lead in hits (82).
Given the Red Sox’ injuries in the infield and the inconsistencies from players like Valdez and David Hamilton, the switch-hitting Sogard offers strong defense in the infield and can play the outfield. The issue for Sogard is that he’s currently not on the 40-man roster, and promoting him will result in a roster move.
Boston doesn’t have much wiggle room on the 40-man roster to make room for Sogard. With Bryan Mata’s rehab stint coming to an end on July 15, he will need to be added, or they’ll run the risk of losing him. The likeliest candidate to get designated for assignment first is right-handed pitcher Alex Speas. After that, Boston could DFA Jamie Westbrook or even Tyler Heineman to add Sogard to the 40-man roster. The only issue is that the team runs the risk of losing them to waivers; both Heineman and Westbrook have been clubhouse leaders for Worcester.
Sogard is playing his way to Boston, and a potential promotion may not be that far off. Once the All-Star break passes, the Red Sox are expected to promote Marcelo Mayer and Kyle Teel to Triple-A Worcester. With the trade deadline looming as well, the Red Sox could be pretty active in the coming weeks.
