Clearing the Bases Blog Index
March 24, 2008
Roster decisions

The Boston Red Sox reportedly have set their roster for Tuesday's 6 a.m. (EST) season-opener.

But the roster is far from settled.

According to several media reports, the five inactive players on the roster for the two games in Japan are pitchers Tim Wakefield and Mike Timlin, infielders Sean Casey and Jed Lowrie and outfielder Bobby Kielty.

That gives the Red Sox a 9-man bullpen, including Clay Buchholz in case of an emergency. It also includes Bryan Corey and David Aardsma, two relievers who were on the bubble this spring training.

Josh Beckett, who is not in Japan, is on the DL, as expected. But he should be ready in early April. Wakefield and, probably, Timlin, will be activated then.

Craig Breslow is already gone (claimed off waivers by Cleveland), but Boston will have to make more moves.

The starters: Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield, Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz.

Relievers: Julian Tavarez, Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima, Manny Delcarmen, Kyle Snyder, Javier Lopez, David Aardsma, Bryan Corey, Mike Timlin.

Assuming Boston goes with seven relievers, two relievers will have to go.

Then when/if Bartolo Colon is activated ...

The Red Sox will also have to make a decision on Kielty. Assuming Casey is ready to go in April, it's unlikely that Boston will keep five outfielders (although the switch-hitting Kielty is the only true right-field back-up). Either Crisp is traded or Kielty goes down to Triple-A (if he accepts such a move).

And more moves will be made in minor league camp. With so many pitchers in Triple-A camp, some will have to be let go. Former prime prospects Abe Alvarez and Chris Smith are on the bubble.


Posted at 07:39 AM

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Kevin covers baseball for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He first reported on spring training games for the St. Petersburg Times in 1978. He wisely moved to Maine in 1994 and now writes about the Portland Sea Dogs and Boston Red Sox—when he's not coaching Little League baseball.

He is married to Nancy, and the couple recently completed their lineup card with the birth of their ninth child.



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