Lost in all the drama of whatever is going on with Rafael Devers is a really interesting competition to make the Opening Day bullpen with plenty of spots up for grabs and plenty of worthy contenders.
I think the amount of pure depth Breslow has put together is impressive. As you stated, a pitcher without any options like Ottavino & Moore might have a leg up on an arm like Kelly or Guerrero just b/c those two have options. A guy like Fulmer might end up being the surprise name to make the club out of spring training, but if he proves to need a few games to get into a groove, that could hurt him b/c he'd have to be DFA'd if he doesn't perform right away & the Red Sox wouldn't want to lose him after signing him over a year ago & putting in all that time, effort, & energy to get him right. Moran & Winckowski might be the odd men out on Opening Day. Who else doesn't have options? Mata, Campbell, Stock, Newcombe, & Noah Davis. So, if they go north w/the Big Club, they'd have to be DFA'd if they aren't quite ready for prime time. I'd say Hendriks, Slaten, Whitlock, Chapman, & Wilson are the five (in agreement w/you), with Ottavino, Wink, & Moore as 5-8 with the others coming up from Worcester if & when poor performance or injury necessitates it. Kelly, Bernardino, Weissert, & Campbell are all going to be upset having to start in Worcester, but I believe they'll all get their shots this year along w/Guerrero, Davis, Newcombe, & Moran. Does Fulmer have an opt out like Ottavino & Moore does? If so, I'd suspect he starts in Boston over Wink & takes that bulk role along w/Whitlock. I cannot see Stock getting a shot unless he lights it up in Worcester. I see Dobbins staying stretched out & starting in Worcester & not being given a shot in the bullpen unless it's absolutely necessary. It's good to have this many solid options. In the past 3 seasons, it just appeared the Sox were throwing spaghetti against the wall & seeing who would stick. Now, it appears they have plenty of solid options as well as depth to compete at the top end of the Division & of the AL. Great article Chris. Keep up the great work 💪🏼
Ottavino, Moore, Fulmer, Mata, Campbell, Stock, Newcomb, and Davis were all signed to minor league contracts. They do not have to be DFA'd. Guerrero, Kelly, and Weissert should be the 3, unless someone else shows that they can be better (or if any of those guys fall apart during spring training). Also, if Red Sox SP can stay healthy, does Kutter go back to the bullpen?
TY🙏 Ottavino, Adams, Moore, Fulmer, & Newcombe all have a FA opt out if they don't make the Big Club. (Toro does as well) If Ottavino, Moore, & Fulmer are healthy & throwing well, I'd prefer to option Weissert, Kelly, Wink & Bernardino than losing those three. Guerrero might force their hand if he keeps dominating. The whole point of having pitchers w/options on the 40 is to use those options to make your team better instead of losing those older, experienced guys to Free Agency
I think the amount of pure depth Breslow has put together is impressive. As you stated, a pitcher without any options like Ottavino & Moore might have a leg up on an arm like Kelly or Guerrero just b/c those two have options. A guy like Fulmer might end up being the surprise name to make the club out of spring training, but if he proves to need a few games to get into a groove, that could hurt him b/c he'd have to be DFA'd if he doesn't perform right away & the Red Sox wouldn't want to lose him after signing him over a year ago & putting in all that time, effort, & energy to get him right. Moran & Winckowski might be the odd men out on Opening Day. Who else doesn't have options? Mata, Campbell, Stock, Newcombe, & Noah Davis. So, if they go north w/the Big Club, they'd have to be DFA'd if they aren't quite ready for prime time. I'd say Hendriks, Slaten, Whitlock, Chapman, & Wilson are the five (in agreement w/you), with Ottavino, Wink, & Moore as 5-8 with the others coming up from Worcester if & when poor performance or injury necessitates it. Kelly, Bernardino, Weissert, & Campbell are all going to be upset having to start in Worcester, but I believe they'll all get their shots this year along w/Guerrero, Davis, Newcombe, & Moran. Does Fulmer have an opt out like Ottavino & Moore does? If so, I'd suspect he starts in Boston over Wink & takes that bulk role along w/Whitlock. I cannot see Stock getting a shot unless he lights it up in Worcester. I see Dobbins staying stretched out & starting in Worcester & not being given a shot in the bullpen unless it's absolutely necessary. It's good to have this many solid options. In the past 3 seasons, it just appeared the Sox were throwing spaghetti against the wall & seeing who would stick. Now, it appears they have plenty of solid options as well as depth to compete at the top end of the Division & of the AL. Great article Chris. Keep up the great work 💪🏼
Ottavino, Moore, Fulmer, Mata, Campbell, Stock, Newcomb, and Davis were all signed to minor league contracts. They do not have to be DFA'd. Guerrero, Kelly, and Weissert should be the 3, unless someone else shows that they can be better (or if any of those guys fall apart during spring training). Also, if Red Sox SP can stay healthy, does Kutter go back to the bullpen?
TY🙏 Ottavino, Adams, Moore, Fulmer, & Newcombe all have a FA opt out if they don't make the Big Club. (Toro does as well) If Ottavino, Moore, & Fulmer are healthy & throwing well, I'd prefer to option Weissert, Kelly, Wink & Bernardino than losing those three. Guerrero might force their hand if he keeps dominating. The whole point of having pitchers w/options on the 40 is to use those options to make your team better instead of losing those older, experienced guys to Free Agency