Same deal as positional players. Here's a round up of the guys in camp and their odds of contributing. This is keeping in mind Watson or another lefty could still be signed.
Starters - Jalen Beeks - 24 was lights out in Portland last year and pitched well in AAA. He is the one prospect who may have a shot beating out Wright and company if Rodriguez doesn't break camp off the DL. I would think he'd get a look sooner than later since he'll be 25 in July., Brian Johnson - 27 and Steven Wright -33 are the more likely candidates to pitch meaningful innings since neither have options remaining. I would assume Johnson has no trade value, but Wright may have little. Wright may also be facing a suspension. Hector Velazquez - 29 had the one rough outing but was otherwise decent and I believe has options.
Roenis Elias - 29. Nobody likes Roenis Elias. I''d be shocked if he's still in the organization on March 15th. Chandler Shepherd- 25 is going to try starting. He had a good year in the minors so could be useful at some point.
The depth in camp is good, but at least two of those guys could be off the team and if there is an injury or two it could get dicey.
Non roster invitiees: Justin Haley - 26 came back to Boston after they lost him in the Rule 5 to the Twins, but he's now on a minor league deal. Doubtful he makes the team. Kyle Martin - 27 took a step backwards after two straight solid minor league seasons. Unless there are some injuries on the 40 man it looks like he is basically on a tryout. Bobby Poyner - 25 is a funky delivery type guy with limited stuff who has gotten it done, particularly last year in AA. He has a reverse split so far, but also can get lefties out.
The JAG section - Fernando Rodriguez Jr. - 33 Marcus Walden - 29
40 man guys - I'll put Thornburg - 29 here. Some of us think he's a lock, but his outlook is dubious with the type of injury he had. If he struggles in camp he could start the year on the DL. Ty Buttrey - 24 pitched well in AA. Then pitched not well in AAA. A long shot, but could be a double header arm down the line and is a lefty. Williams Jerez - 25 appears to still be in the organization since he was a 2nd rounder in 2011. He may be one of the first DFA's.
Austin Maddox - 26 looked like he belonged when he was up and made the playoff roster. Could stick with the team if there are injuries but otherwise should fill the lofty void left by Blaine Boyer.
Ben Taylor - 26 probably lost a few spots on the AAA depth chart to Maddox and Buttrey but could be up again when they need 13 pitchers.
Best guess:
Sale, Price, Porcello, Pomeranz and Wright
If Wright looks good, I think he gets the spot if he isn't suspended. Unless he's awful, I think he's at least the long man. Otherwise it's a fight between Johnson and Beeks.
Bullpen: Kelly, Smith, Hembree lefty acquisition, Thornburg, Barnes, Kimbrel
Robbie Scott, Workman and Maddox still have options. Hembree is on the bubble and has no options so there could be some phantom DL'ing if Workman and Maddox pitch well. Poyner is also a dark horse and could exist with Watson since both don't have troublesome splits.
Starters - Jalen Beeks - 24 was lights out in Portland last year and pitched well in AAA. He is the one prospect who may have a shot beating out Wright and company if Rodriguez doesn't break camp off the DL. I would think he'd get a look sooner than later since he'll be 25 in July., Brian Johnson - 27 and Steven Wright -33 are the more likely candidates to pitch meaningful innings since neither have options remaining. I would assume Johnson has no trade value, but Wright may have little. Wright may also be facing a suspension. Hector Velazquez - 29 had the one rough outing but was otherwise decent and I believe has options.
Roenis Elias - 29. Nobody likes Roenis Elias. I''d be shocked if he's still in the organization on March 15th. Chandler Shepherd- 25 is going to try starting. He had a good year in the minors so could be useful at some point.
The depth in camp is good, but at least two of those guys could be off the team and if there is an injury or two it could get dicey.
Non roster invitiees: Justin Haley - 26 came back to Boston after they lost him in the Rule 5 to the Twins, but he's now on a minor league deal. Doubtful he makes the team. Kyle Martin - 27 took a step backwards after two straight solid minor league seasons. Unless there are some injuries on the 40 man it looks like he is basically on a tryout. Bobby Poyner - 25 is a funky delivery type guy with limited stuff who has gotten it done, particularly last year in AA. He has a reverse split so far, but also can get lefties out.
The JAG section - Fernando Rodriguez Jr. - 33 Marcus Walden - 29
40 man guys - I'll put Thornburg - 29 here. Some of us think he's a lock, but his outlook is dubious with the type of injury he had. If he struggles in camp he could start the year on the DL. Ty Buttrey - 24 pitched well in AA. Then pitched not well in AAA. A long shot, but could be a double header arm down the line and is a lefty. Williams Jerez - 25 appears to still be in the organization since he was a 2nd rounder in 2011. He may be one of the first DFA's.
Austin Maddox - 26 looked like he belonged when he was up and made the playoff roster. Could stick with the team if there are injuries but otherwise should fill the lofty void left by Blaine Boyer.
Ben Taylor - 26 probably lost a few spots on the AAA depth chart to Maddox and Buttrey but could be up again when they need 13 pitchers.
Best guess:
Sale, Price, Porcello, Pomeranz and Wright
If Wright looks good, I think he gets the spot if he isn't suspended. Unless he's awful, I think he's at least the long man. Otherwise it's a fight between Johnson and Beeks.
Bullpen: Kelly, Smith, Hembree lefty acquisition, Thornburg, Barnes, Kimbrel
Robbie Scott, Workman and Maddox still have options. Hembree is on the bubble and has no options so there could be some phantom DL'ing if Workman and Maddox pitch well. Poyner is also a dark horse and could exist with Watson since both don't have troublesome splits.
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