Red Sox: 3 players who won’t be on the Opening Day roster
By Scott Rogust
With Spring Training on the horizon, here are three members of the Boston Red Sox who won’t make the Opening Day roster.
2020 is a year that the Boston Red Sox would like to forget. After trading star outfielder Mookie Betts and due to a plethora of injuries across the roster, the Red Sox finished in last place in the AL East. The team fired interim manager Ron Roenicke and brought back Alex Cora to be the team’s skipper.
General manager Chaim Bloom has been rather quiet throughout the majority of the Hot Stove season, but has been a bit more active as of late (i.e. the Adam Ottavino trade, Enrique Hernandez signing). But, the 2021 campaign is expected to be another rebuilding year for Boston. With Spring Training around the corner, Cora and his staff will have to figure out who will be on the roster for Opening Day. Some might be traded, while others could spend some time in the minor leagues.
Here are three players who might not be on the field for Boston’s 2021 regular-season opener.
OF. Boston Red Sox. Andrew Benintendi. 14. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. player. 3.
Andrew Benintendi should not be a surprise on this list. The once highly thought of outfield prospect is on the outs with the Red Sox.
Benintendi was solid ever since being called up by the Red Sox in 2016. In his first full season, the left fielder finished second in AL Rookie of the Year behind New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. He won his first World Series title in 2018. Ever since, Benintendi hasn’t put up the numbers like he has in years past.
In his last full season (2019), Benintendi recorded a .266 batting average and .774 OPS, along with 13 home runs, 68 RBI and 140 strikeouts. This past truncated season, Benintendi was limited to just 14 games due to a strained rib cage and tallied a .442 OPS and one RBI in that span.
This past month, the Red Sox were reportedly in “serious trade talks” with various teams regarding Benintendi. Some of the organizations interested in his services include the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics. Given that the Red Sox are looking to replenish their farm system, the expectations of Benintendi remaining in Boston look slim, especially if the team gets a decent package in return.