Earlier this week, when the Red Sox were in need of a roster spot for the pending return of infielder Christian Arroyo, there was some speculation that the Sox might send slumping outfielder Franchy Cordero to Triple A Worcester to facilitate the necessary roster space.
Instead, the Sox sent infielder Michael Chavis back to Worcester.
But Cordero’s reprieve was only temporary. The Red Sox optioned him to Worcester Thursday without announcing a corresponding roster move. The Sox are off Thursday and could wait until Friday afternoon before promoting someone from Triple A.
Cordero was slashing .178/.228/.274 with a homer and nine RBI in 34 games, 27 of which were starts - all but one in left field.
He had endured lengthy slumps since the start of the season, including an 0-for-26 spell that stretched across several weeks. When he hit first home run Sunday In Philadelphia, its distance - estimated at more than 470 feet - was a reminder of his power and potential.
But too often, Cordero failed to make contact at the plate, striking out with alarming frequency. More than a third of his plate appearances ended in strikeouts, a high number even in a strikeout-heavy era.
Cordero was the most established return piece of a three-team deal last winter which saw the Sox send outfielder Andrew Benintendi to Kansas City. The Sox also obtained pitching prospect Josh Winckowski and are due to acquire three additional players to be named later.
Cordero, though 25, was seen as an intriguing project with plus speed and plus raw power. A series of injuries with his two previous organizations (Royals, Padres), however, robbed him of development time.
The Sox viewed him as a tantalizing prospect with the potential for huge upside.
His first season with the Sox wasn’t aided by a case of COVID-19 prior to the start of spring training and costing him further time.
Even as Cordero struggled to find playing time and more consistent results at the plate, the Red Sox last week added super utility option Danny Santana, who, like Cordero can play the outfield and unlike Cordero, has something of an established track record at the big league level.
Santana’s arrival - and his quick impact with three extra-base hits in his first four games - made Cordero all the more expendable - for now, at least.
At Worcester, he’ll get time to work on his swing and do so away from the glare of the major leagues while at the same time, not hindering a team that finds itself, somewhat surprising, in the playoff hunt as the one-third mark of the season draws near.
Less certain is whom the Sox will add in Cordero’s absence. Option rules prohibit from recalling Chavis for another week and it would seem unlikely the Sox would turn to soon to outfielder Jarren Duran. Duran has enjoyed a strong first month at Triple A but the Sox have indicated they want him to further his development - both at the plate and in the outfield - in the minors.
It’s at least possible that the Red Sox could also be planning to add another arm, having only recently reduced from 14 to 13 pitchers for the first time this season. A demanding stretch - including a seven-game road trip to Houston and The Bronx awaits next week and it could be the team wishes to have a deeper bullpen for those series.