The Red Sox opted not to expand their roster to the full 40 allowed by MLB. Currently the Sox have 35 players on the active roster, meaning there are 5 players from their 40-man roster who were not asked to join the big club. 3 of these are pitchers the Sox simply were not planning to use the rest of the way no matter what (Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden and Charlie Zink). One is a catcher, and with 4 already on the active roster the need to add Dusty Brown must have seemed minimal at best to Theo. Understandable. The other player not brought up to the BoSox is shortstop Angenis Diaz, who played this past year at Double-A Portland. He is considered a Gold Glove caliber shortstop (right now) and an excellent bunter. Even if he wasn’t needed, why not call him up? Quite honestly I’m a bit thrown off by Theo choosing to have so many fewer players on the roster than is allowed. Can you imagine Bill Belichick showing up Sunday and saying “I know we are allowed 53, but we only really need 48”. As I said, the rest of these non-calls are more understandable, but when you have the chance to add a player who could be useful either to lay down a bunt, an insurance policy for injury, to pinch run, or simply to garner some experience being around a major league atmosphere. Maybe having Diaz on board would not have helped the Sox, but what would it have hurt?
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sox on the Farm: Angenis Diaz
The Red Sox opted not to expand their roster to the full 40 allowed by MLB. Currently the Sox have 35 players on the active roster, meaning there are 5 players from their 40-man roster who were not asked to join the big club. 3 of these are pitchers the Sox simply were not planning to use the rest of the way no matter what (Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden and Charlie Zink). One is a catcher, and with 4 already on the active roster the need to add Dusty Brown must have seemed minimal at best to Theo. Understandable. The other player not brought up to the BoSox is shortstop Angenis Diaz, who played this past year at Double-A Portland. He is considered a Gold Glove caliber shortstop (right now) and an excellent bunter. Even if he wasn’t needed, why not call him up? Quite honestly I’m a bit thrown off by Theo choosing to have so many fewer players on the roster than is allowed. Can you imagine Bill Belichick showing up Sunday and saying “I know we are allowed 53, but we only really need 48”. As I said, the rest of these non-calls are more understandable, but when you have the chance to add a player who could be useful either to lay down a bunt, an insurance policy for injury, to pinch run, or simply to garner some experience being around a major league atmosphere. Maybe having Diaz on board would not have helped the Sox, but what would it have hurt?
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From soxprospects.com:
ARGENIS DIAZ
Age: 21
Born: February 12, 1987
Home: Guatire, VZ
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: Not drafted
How Acquired: International free agent (July 2003)
MLB Comparison: Alex Gonzalez
Scouting Report: Diaz is an elite defensive shortstop, and could compete for a gold glove in the bigs right now. He has plus range, excellent footing, an impressive glove, and an outstanding arm. Makes impossible plays in the field. An inordinate amount of errors in 2008 have largely been attributed to off-the-mark long throws off of grounders that Diaz had no business getting to in the first place. The key for Diaz is how much he will hit. He's a slap hitter with average on base ability and without much power, but he's swung the bat very well during a few prolonged stints here and there. Hits lefties significantly better than righties. Excellent at laying down bunts. Speed on the basepaths isn't much to speak of.
Maybe they dont feel he's ready to handle the pressure of a pennant race. Trying to not let a guy suffer some confidence problems before the off season where he can dwell on the problems, possibly slowing down his progression. Thats the only thing i can think of cause i think it would be great to have a glove and bunting opton on the bench. Could also find the fastest guy in the sysem no matter what level he is at for late inning baserunning.
That was my original thought (I believe it would be Che-Hsuan Lin who I previously profiled in Sox on the Farm). The only issue with that is I'm not 100% sure how the 40-man roster works. They currently have 40, Lin not being one of them, so would they risk losing one of their guys by replacing him? (say Dusty Brown, who seems the likliest candidate). I'm honestly not sure and didn't want to post something when I wasn't 100% sure how the process worked for that. That's why I chose Diaz, since he's already on the 40-man roster.
Maybe they plan on trading him since they are pretty solid at ss and 2b for the next few years with JL and DP and they think a bad stint up here would destroy his trade value.
1. DK when do you think he would make his MLB debut - next summer/fall?
2. What do you think about his trade value. Could we get a good RP and another prospect to replace him?
3. Do you think we could package him and masterson together and get Manny back here? Just kidding!
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