Hot Stove Lunch: Sox relief roles could eventually be filled from minors

At some point, it's likely the Red Sox will find themselves some established late-inning bullpen options on the free-agent market. It's unlikely Craig Kimbrel will return -- though that can't be completely ruled out if a market doesn't materialize for him -- but the Sox will need somebody with a proven track record to help them close out games. Maybe it will be David Robertson or Kelvin Herrera.

But once those slots are filled, Boston could have some depth in its minor-league system which could prove useful at some point in 2019.

There are some intriguing options. Lefty Darwinzon Hernandez will begin the year as a starter, but it wouldn't surprise anyone if the Sox gave Hernandez a crack at some relief innings in Boston. The same goes for Travis Lakins, who has pitched effectively out of the bullpen at Triple A. And though they won't want to rush him, Durbin Feltman, a fourth-round pick in last year's draft, is presumed to be not far away from helping out at the major league level.

Over the course of a long season, bullpen depth is a necessity. Last year, no one predicted Ryan Brasier would be one of the Red Sox' most trusted relievers by September, but he was. It's likely someone else will emerge in 2019, too. Maybe they won't stick for a long period of time, and it's unlikely that any will have the sort of impact Brasier had. After all, Brasier already some major league experience before pitching in Japan and signing a deal with the Red Sox.

But an interesting sidelight in '19 will be watching to see who can make some contributions from within.

Elsewhere...

AL EAST

The Yankees paid CC Sabathia a bonus he didn't quite earn.

Five things we learned from Brandon Hyde's introductory press conference.

The Rays have a few internal options for first base.

AL CENTRAL

A look back at Michael Brantley's time with the Indians.

A closer look at the Tigers new starting shortstop.

The White Sox put on the full-court press for Manny Machado.

The Royals signed a handful of minor league free agents.

AL WEST

Brantley gives the Astros the lefty bat they needed.

The Rangers hope that Willie Calhoun will benefit from being in better shape.

Signing Yasmani Grandal would make sense for the Angels.

The A's may have found an inexpensive starting pitching option.

Why the Mariners should be after Bryce Harper.

NATIONAL LEAGUE 

What's the fascination with J.T. Realmuto?

HOT TAKE I MAY SOON REGRET

While the Red Sox were putting together a budget-busting payroll en route to a World Series victory in 2018, many of the remaining clubs in Major League Baseball were cutting back.

An AP study found teams, collectively, spent $115.3 million less than they did the year before. Even if that averages "only'' $4 million or so per team, that's still a significant drop-off. In fact, it's the second-biggest one-year drop since 2004.

It shouldn't come as a shock. A number of clubs are in the process of rebuilding (or ''tanking,'' if you prefer), while two big market teams (the Yankees and Dodgers) were intent on getting under the luxury tax threshold so as to re-set their tax rate.

But it does offer some evidence of what the Players Association has been charging -- namely that, in the fact of increasing revenues in the sport, owners are colluding to keep salaries down.