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As Red Sox make roster decisions, how will opt-outs come into play?
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- As Red Sox make roster decisions, how will opt-outs come into play?
With just two-plus weeks to go before the start of the season, the Red Sox are in the process of whittling down their options for the Opening Day roster . As they do so — like every club around baseball — end-of-camp opt-out decisions will come into play.
Veteran players who signed minor league contracts in the offseason often have escape hatches in their deals that allow them to find better opportunities if they don't make the team out of camp. For some players, including those who were on 40-man rosters at the end of last season, those clauses are automatic. Others have them negotiated into their contracts.
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The one major league free agent the Red Sox signed to a minor league deal is infielder Brendan Rodgers, who would be able to opt out of his contract five days before Opening Day if healthy and not on the roster. R odgers, though, is expected to have shoulder surgery this week and therefore, his opt-out is not in play . Another Red Sox non-roster invitee, veteran pitcher Vinny Nittoli , is meeting with an orthopedic surgeon Tuesday to determine how a torn ligament in his elbow will be surgically addressed. He will likely miss most, if not all, of the season.
That leaves an intriguing series of invitees with negotiated opt-outs in their deals — and one player who has leverage to leave the Red Sox before the end of camp. A source confirmed Tuesday that veteran catcher Matt Thaiss , who is competing with catcher Connor Wong for the backup catcher spot behind Carlos Narváez , has an upward mobility clause that can be exercised five days before Opening Day. That provision would allow Thaiss to seek a roster spot with other clubs at that point, with the Red Sox having the ability to keep him if they choose to match another team's offer by placing him on their own 40-man group. If no one wants to give Thaiss a spot at that time, he can remain at Triple-A Worcester.
Other non-roster invitees can be stashed past Opening Day without fear of the Red Sox losing them. Right-hander Kyle Keller, who signed a minor league contract after four strong seasons in Japan, h as an upward mobility/assignment clause that kicks in on April 15 , according to a source, but not before camp. He has more opt-out opportunities later in the season and a foreign inquiry clause that allows teams from Japan and Korea to pursue him if not in the majors.
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Lefty reliever Alec Gamboa, who has been slowed in camp due to an elbow injury but was among the pitchers playing catch Tuesday, has assignment clauses on May 1 and June 1 and an opt-out (where he can trigger his release freely) on July 1. Veteran infielder Vinny Capra can opt out on June 1 and catcher Jason Delay has escape hatches in his deal on June 30 and August 15.
The timing of certain players' opt-outs might have an impact on what the Red Sox do at the end of camp, especially at the catcher position. If Boston views it as a true competition between the incumbent Wong and Thaiss, the risk of losing Thaiss to an interested club might play a role (and Wong can be optioned to Triple-A freely).
In the bullpen, where manager Alex Cora said there are "two or maybe three" spots left to settle , roster flexibility may come into play. Boston will have to make decisions before the end of camp on two relievers who are in the mix, as lefty Jovani Morán is out of options and can't be sent to the minors and righty Ryan Watson is a Rule 5 pick who would have to be offered back to the Giants if not on the team. In theory, the Red Sox could keep someone like Keller in the minors for a couple weeks while holding on to Watson and/or Morán past Opening Day. Performance will quite obviously play a major role as well.
The Red Sox, as they have been in previous years, will likely poke around the opt-out market for players who become free agents at the end of camp. Veteran relievers on minor league deals who could come free include Andrew Chafin (Twins), Ryan Brasier (Rangers), Kolby Allard (Guardians), Tim Mayza ( Phillies ) and others. Unsigned veterans who are currently available include Danny Coulombe , Jalen Beeks , Tommy Kahnle , Justin Wilson and Michael Kopech .
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