Making the case to protect AJ Politi from the Rule 5 Draft
Tuesday marks the deadline to add players to the 40 man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft
The Boston Red Sox have a few looming decisions to make by Tuesday at 6pm ET. The 40 man roster currently sits at 37, and that number is expected to change approaching the deadline. Expect a flurry of moves to be announced throughout the day on Tuesday heading into the deadline, and one move the Red Sox need to make as well... Adding AJ Politi to the 40 man roster.
Politi is officially Rule 5 Draft eligible this offseason, and should be highly considered to be protected. For as much as the bullpen struggled last year, besides Tanner Houck and John Schreiber, adding an intriguing new arm like Politi would make just as much sense as paying for a reliever in free agency.
Could Red Sox reliever Dan Altavilla be a viable bullpen option for 2023?
The 26 year old right hander earned a promotion to Worcester after dominating in Portland earlier this year. The former 15th round pick held his own in AAA as well as looked as if he belonged in his appearances.
While protecting Politi would take a roster spot from another prospect or acquisition in free agency, he would be a major upgrade over a few other options currently on the 40 man roster. The Red Sox could potentially DFA a reliever currently on the roster to make more room for a guy like Politi. The two easier options would be Kaleb Ort or Darwinzon Hernandez. Both guys struggled mightily in limited innings in Boston this year and it would not hurt to upgrade over both options.
If AJ Politi remains unprotected for the Rule 5 Draft, expect the up and comer to be pitching for someone else in 2023.
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