Boston Red Sox bench crunch

Blake Swihart, Eduardo Nunez, and Brock Holt are all vying for consistent playing time on a loaded Red Sox roster. Which one will have to go when Dustin Pedroia returns?

For most of the spring, a debate has raged about the optimal use of the limited roster spots. The Boston Red Sox have a bench crunch, and at some point, the front office will have to let an asset go. They alleviated the pressure slightly with the trade of Deven Marrero. And Dustin Pedroia’s recovery from knee surgery buys them a little time. But eventually, they will have one more player without options than they have room for.

When the season starts on March 29th, Eduardo Nunez will be the starting second baseman, leaving a four-man bench of Sandy Leon, Brock Holt, Blake Swihart and Mitch Moreland. Moreland is limited to 1st base and DH, and Leon will only see time behind the plate. Luckily, the other two guys are quite versatile.

Holt can cover every position on the diamond except catcher if need be. And Blake Swihart can catch, man left field or don a first baseman’s mitt. So the entire field is covered with this bench. J.D. Martinez will be spending time between DH and the corner outfield spots as well, which means the outfield runs six-deep on the 25 man roster. Seven if we include Nunez who spent 20 days there in 2017.