Red Sox roster still unknown, but here's a good prediction

by Randy Booth on Oct 8, 2009 11:27 AM EDT in News

[Note by Randy Booth, 10/08/09 12:58 PM EDT ] Rocco Baldelli will not be on the ALDS roster. He just isn't healthy enough, apparently.

OK, Tito. Gettin' kind of sick of this, buddy. Where's the Red Sox's ALDS roster?

It's funny that the Twins, who only made the playoffs Tuesday night, had their roster set for their Wednesday game. But the Sox, who have known they would be in the playoffs for weeks now, still have yet to unrelease theirs.

Whatev.

But it won't be too hard to figure out. Here are the locks in the lineup and pitching staff:

CATCHER (2)
Victor Martinez
Jason Varitek

INFIELD (6)
Kevin Youkilis
Casey Kotchman
Dustin Pedroia
Alex Gonzalez
Jed Lowrie
Mike Lowell

OUTFIELD (3)
Jason Bay
Jacoby Ellsbury
J.D. Drew

DESIGNATED HITTER (1)
David Ortiz

PITCHERS (11)
Jon Lester
Josh Beckett
Clay Buchholz
Daisuke Matsuzaka
Paul Byrd
Jonathan Papelbon
Billy Wagner
Takashi Saito
Daniel Bard
Hideki Okajima
Ramon Ramirez

The big snag is the backup outfielder spot. The Red Sox have said they want to try and play Rocco Baldelli, but they're unsure of his healthy. My guess is that they'll put him in the lineup just to see. So who fills the gap? Either Joey Gathright or Brian Anderson. If they want speed, they'll go with Gathright. If they want defense, they'll go with Anderson. It'll actually be a tough choice, but I think we'll see Gathright.

But what do you think?

Poll

If Rocco Baldelli is the No. 4 outfielder (if healthy), who is the fifth?

Joey Gathright. The Sox need his speed off the bench.

267 votes

Brian Anderson. The Sox need his defense off the bench.

69 votes

336 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I like Gathright

You never know if we’re going to need someone to come in a steal that certain base at that certain time again….

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by mystman995 on Oct 8, 2009 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

Doesn't matter now

They went with both.

by Justin_Bobo on Oct 8, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

Although this is posted after we know both made the line-up...

I’m sure that anyone who was alive for 2004 picked Gathright…

Goddamn that DeMarlo Hale.

by Bloggy on Oct 8, 2009 3:21 PM EDT reply actions

I didn't want to, but I did.

Whatever difference Anderson makes with the glove would be erased in a PA or two.

@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation

by bdalebs on Oct 8, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

BA

If Brian Anderson had been put in defensively for Bay, in the last game, I believe BA would have caught the ball hit to LF and the Sox would have held on to win the game.

The dude can flash some leather.

Don't let anyone steal your Joy

by bigz38fan on Oct 15, 2009 11:08 PM EDT reply actions