Sometimes I do find questions in why DD holds on to certain players while releasing others. Travis over Ockimey is a good example, although soxprospects.com does list Travis as starting inLF this year so maybe they want to see how the position change works out.
Keeping 29yo Bruce Brentz over 2015 draft pick Ben Taylor was about as questionable as it gets, especially when DD actually acted surprised that Ben Taylor was claimed. I sort of get keeping Walden and Josh Taylor. Walden is pure fringe talent but both do add an element of minor league pitching depth. Marco Hernandez is just worthless at this point.
But really, DD could have kept Ockimey without DFAing anyone. The Sox still have an open slot on the roster. Even if he was holding it for a potential Eovaldi signing, he could have DFAd Ockimey later.
I think he simply has less faith in Ockimey than in Travis and Chavis.
Or, crazy thought here, maybe he wants Ockimey to get selected so he can work out a trade for a minor leaguer who doesn’t need protection...