Red Sox Roster Cuts Reach Toll(e) Booth

[Nick John]

After a busy morning of finalizing roster decisions, the Boston Red Sox continued to whittle down the roster heading into the final day of spring training. Among the group were Zack Kelly, Tyler Uberstine, and Payton Tolle. Tommy Kahnle was also reassigned to minor league camp.

Of those optioned, Kelly seemed to be a lock for low-leverage innings in the bullpen up until the signing of Danny Coulombe. With the announcement that Ryan Watson had made the team, it seemed likely that Kelly was going to be sent to Worcester, especially after the team said they might keep one of Johan Oviedo, Connelly Early or Tolle as a reliever to open the season.

Uberstine was another player once considered for a long reliever role in the bullpen but instead was optioned back to Worcester where he will likely pitch out of the rotation. Tolle will join him there also pitching from the rotation as the duo will provide depth for the organization should injury or inconsistency hit.

Kahnle, on the other hand, was reassigned to minor league camp, having joined the team on a minor-league contract. The organization must have felt he needed a bit more time to catch up with the other pitchers despite playing in the World Baseball Classic. Kahnle is a veteran of 11 seasons and has an assignment clause on May 1 and an opt-out on June 1.

It is now all but guaranteed that both Early and Oviedo will have spots on the Opening Day roster.

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[TedYazPapiMookie]

Connelly Early will be the next big thing in Boston as he surpasses Crochet in performance over the next two years.  Fantasy players should grab this guy in keeper leagues.

[moonslav59]

Not sure why TYPM laid out a curse like that.

[drewski6]

13 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Not sure why TYPM laid out a curse like that.

Because he cant complain about the crochet trade while crochet is our ace.

[moonslav59]

12 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Because he cant complain about the crochet trade while crochet is our ace.

Sounds like you hit on it.

[mvp 78]

It's ok to be high on a guy. It's also ok if Early is JUST a #3 starter, because that's higher than SP had him projected going into last season. If he sticks as an MLB back end guy, it's fine too. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

18 hours ago, TedYazPapiMookie said:

Connelly Early will be the next big thing in Boston as he surpasses Crochet in performance over the next two years. 

Not disagreeing, because I've already said Early will be the most consistent starter in a rotation where injuries and age are bound to be a factor. 

Everyone is touting starting depth as the Red Sox strength, so it's not ludicrous to call that depth the key to the season.

[davidrw]

It’s always tough seeing players like Zack Kelly, Tyler Uberstine, and Payton Tolle reassigned after spring training. These final roster cuts are part of shaping the team, but it’s encouraging that players like Tommy Kahnle still have opportunities in minor league camp to refine their game and potentially earn a call-up later in the season.

[moonslav59]

We used 35 pitchers, last season, including Toro & Eaton.

31 pitchers got 4+ IP.

27 pitchers 11+ IP.

18 had 21+ IP.

13 had 41+ IP.

After the top 13, we had a total of about 330 innings.

Anybody that pitches well enough to get a look, will get a chance.