MLB Players Out of Minor League Options Work to Make Clubs in Spring Training
Baltimore Orioles
Brad Brach – Brach is going to be the primary setup man in Baltimore after posting a 2.05 ERA and 1.04 ERA over 79 innings and 71 appearances in 2016.
Zach Britton – Britton was in serious consideration for the 2016 AL Cy Young. He will be the closer in Baltimore.
Dylan Bundy – Bundy finished strong in 2016 to establish himself back into the Baltimore future after a number of years struggling with injury. He’ll be a fixture in the rotation.
Oliver Drake – Roster Resource currently lists Drake as winning the final bullpen slot, though his spring performance has put him on the bubble for the final bullpen slot in Baltimore. He made 14 appearances in 2016 with a 4.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.
Boston Red Sox
Josh Rutledge – Rutledge was a shrewd Rule 5 pick and is likely to make the roster due to his positional flexibility and his right-handed bat off the bench.
Tyler Thornburg – Thornburg’s power arm will be leaned on heavily in Boston this season, so he’s in no risk of not making it, though he might end up on the DL to open the season.
Sandy Leon – Leon’s crazy breakout 2016 has essentially locked him into a 2017 opening day job because he’s out of options, but with Blake Swihart looming, he’ll have to perform.
Steven Wright – The injury to David Price’s elbow really ended the other competition that affected options in Boston as Wright will be ensured a rotation spot.
Drew Pomeranz – Price’s injury will also allow Pomeranz a sure spot in the rotation on opening day, though he’ll have to perform to ensure he has one when Price returns as he, Wright, and Eduardo Rodriguez were expected to compete for two rotation spots among the three of them.
Christian Vazquez – Vazquez is basically in the same exact boat as Leon, though he’d likely get more leash due to his high-end defense and comparative youth if Swihart passes up both.
Heath Hembree – Hembree’s versatility and ability to go multiple innings have him locked in to a bullpen role, barring injury.
Bryce Brentz – With one of the more elite offensive and defensive outfields in the major leagues and an extremely versatile reserve in Chris Young, it will require a late injury in camp for Brentz to get a shot.
New York Yankees
Dellin Betances – While he may not be the closer, Betances may be the most important pitcher in the Yankee bullpen.
Tommy Layne – Layne’s likely going to end up with a lefty job out of the pen simply due to having no options over Chasen Shreve, who has one.
Aaron Hicks – Hicks came into the spring in a battle for the right field job with big-power prospect Aaron Judge, and though Hicks has hit better and offers significantly better defense, Judge has had loud hits in the spring and could end up with the job, relegating Hicks to the backup job.
Austin Romine – Romine has shown plenty behind the plate and reportedly has the lead in the competition for the backup catcher position with Kyle Higashioka.
Gary Sanchez – After his amazing end of the season, Sanchez is absolutely locked in as the starting catcher in the Bronx.
Chris Carter – Carter was pleased to jump on with the Yankees, but starter Greg Bird has come back sooner than expected at first base, likely leaving few at bats for Carter, though he’s likely going to be on the Yankee bench if just for his right-handed power.
Tampa Bay Rays
Chris Archer – Archer is the Rays’ ace, so there’s little risk he won’t make the team.
Brad Boxberger – Likely assigned to the primary setup role if healthy, Boxberger really won’t be in any risk of not making the Tampa Bay club.
Xavier Cedeno – The 30-year-old Cedeno will serve as Tampa Bay’s primary lefty in the bullpen, so his job should be fairly secure.
Alex Colome – Colome is going to be the Rays closer as long as he maintains health, so his roster spot is quite secure.
Danny Farquhar – Farquhar has really locked in a spot in a setup role at this point in the bullpen, so his role should be fairly secure.
Nick Franklin – The Rays have come out and said that they’d like to use Franklin for a 400-AB utility. His spot is secure in Tampa Bay.
Erasmo Ramirez – The Rays found a lot of value in having Erasmo as a swingman that can be solid in both short and long situations, so he’s fairly set in a bullpen role.
Jumbo Diaz – Diaz has put in time pitching in the WBC rather than in Tampa’s camp, but they recently claimed him on waivers, and he’s considered a reasonable lock for a bullpen spot by most Rays insiders.
Toronto Blue Jays
Mike Bolsinger – Bolsinger is in a heated competition in Blue Jays camp for a long man role in the bullpen with minor league invitees Mat Latos and Gavin Floyd. Roster Resource shows Bolsinger as the leader in house right now.
Ezequiel Carrera – Carrera will likely pair with Melvin Upton, Jr. in left field, so he’s secure in his roster spot.
Ryan Goins – A roster spot for the defensive specialist will depend on the health of 2B Devon Travis, who has been out with injury. Goins will pair with Darwin Barney to cover the position until Travis is healthy.
Bo Schultz – Schultz’s shot to make the roster took a hit this past week when a couple of Toronto beat reporters mentioned that the Blue Jays intend to carry two lefties in the bullpen, likely meaning Aaron Loup will make the roster and leaving Schultz on the outside looking in.
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