For three Red Sox players out of options, a trade elsewhere may be best path

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The trade of Bryce Brentz on Tuesday, while hardly a blockbuster, may have been something of a precursor for the Red Sox this spring.

Brentz was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations, a day after the Red Sox reached agreement with free agent J.D. Martinez. Martinez effectively supplanted Brentz as the team’s fourth outfielder, making Brentz redundant on the roster, and further, the Sox needed to clear a roster spot on the 40-man roster in anticipation of Martinez’s official signing.

But Brentz was also out of options, meaning the Red Sox couldn’t send him back to the minors without first exposing him to waivers.

There are few other players in the same situation this spring. For some, being out of options can be a good thing, since it forces the team to find a spot on the 25-man roster or trade him elsewhere rather than risk losing him for nothing.

Here are three others who may be in the same predicament – out of options, on the roster bubble, and possible trade candidates -- as Brentz:

BLAKE SWIHART: The Sox received lots of interest on Swihart for much of the winter, but resisted dealing him. That’s understandable since there’s a lot to like about Swihart: he’s an athletic catcher, a switch-hitter, and highly versatile.

Several questions remain, however: Can Swihart be a reliable catcher at the major league level? Thanks to some injuries which have set him back, that’s yet to be fully demonstrated. Also, how wise is it for a team to carry three catchers? That may not be the best use of a roster spot. Finally, does the return of Eduardo Nunez lessen the need for Swihart’s versatility?

In theory, the Sox could trade Sandy Leon, make Swihart the backup catcher and save themselves almost $1.5 million in salary. But a major league source suggested Tuesday that Red Sox pitchers have developed such great trust in throwing to Leon that moving him is virtually out of the question.

Of this group, Swihart clearly has the most trade value and he'd be the one the Sox would try hardest to retain.

DEVEN MARRERO: Marrero already faced an uphill battle to win a roster spot, but his situation became tougher still when Nunez returned, eliminating a utility infield spot.

Marrero is a superb defender, capable of well-above-average play at three different infield positions. But he hasn’t hit, with a .568 OPS over parts of the last three major league seasons.

He did show some ability to hit lefties – albeit in a relatively small sample size – last season with a .944 OPS, so that could help his value.

For a team looking for a glove-first infielder, he could have some appeal.

BRIAN JOHNSON: Johnson is caught in-between on two fronts – in the roster crunch, and in his defined role.

He’s been a starter in his pro career, but with six proven starters set and Hector Velazquez available for depth, there’s not much of an opportunity for him there.

He could battle for a bullpen spot, but it’s tough to see him beating out Robby Scott as a situational lefty after Scott held lefthanded hitters to a .527 OPS and a .121 batting average last year.

In theory, Johnson could serve as a middle relief option, but then, that would seem a luxury the Sox can’t afford. And having not pitched out of the bullpen since college, it would presumably take a while for Johnson to adapt to the role.

 

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