First off, congrats to the AL for winning Series home-field advantage (again). Of course, I don't particularly like how the All-Star game determines home field, but that's not what this post is about. (Personally, I'd prefer if I could just root for an entertaining game instead of having it really matter who wins, but again, that's not the topic at hand)
Basically, I'm bringing up some points about the Red Sox roster. Here's our active roster as of now (via redsox.com):
Active Roster | |||||||
Pitchers | B/T | Ht | Wt | DOB | |||
60 Daniel Bard | R/R | 6-4 | 200 | 06/25/85 | |||
19 Josh Beckett | R/R | 6-5 | 220 | 05/15/80 | |||
17 Manny Delcarmen | R/R | 6-2 | 205 | 02/16/82 | |||
31 Jon Lester | L/L | 6-2 | 190 | 01/07/84 | |||
63 Justin Masterson | R/R | 6-6 | 250 | 03/22/85 | |||
37 Hideki Okajima | L/L | 6-1 | 195 | 12/25/75 | |||
58 Jonathan Papelbon | R/R | 6-4 | 225 | 11/23/80 | |||
36 Brad Penny | R/R | 6-4 | 230 | 05/24/78 | |||
56 Ramon Ramirez | R/R | 5-11 | 190 | 08/31/81 | |||
24 Takashi Saito | L/R | 6-2 | 215 | 02/14/70 | |||
29 John Smoltz | R/R | 6-3 | 220 | 05/15/67 | |||
49 Tim Wakefield | R/R | 6-2 | 210 | 08/02/66 | |||
Catchers | B/T | Ht | Wt | DOB | |||
16 George Kottaras | L/R | 6-0 | 185 | 05/10/83 | |||
33 Jason Varitek | S/R | 6-2 | 230 | 04/11/72 | |||
Infielders | B/T | Ht | Wt | DOB | |||
50 Aaron Bates | R/R | 6-4 | 230 | 03/10/84 | |||
22 Nick Green | R/R | 6-0 | 180 | 09/10/78 | |||
11 Mark Kotsay | L/L | 6-0 | 205 | 12/02/75 | |||
23 Julio Lugo | R/R | 6-1 | 175 | 11/16/75 | |||
15 Dustin Pedroia | R/R | 5-9 | 180 | 08/17/83 | |||
20 Kevin Youkilis | R/R | 6-1 | 220 | 03/15/79 | |||
Outfielders | B/T | Ht | Wt | DOB | |||
5 Rocco Baldelli | R/R | 6-4 | 200 | 09/25/81 | |||
44 Jason Bay | R/R | 6-2 | 205 | 09/20/78 | |||
7 J.D. Drew | L/R | 6-1 | 200 | 11/20/75 | |||
46 Jacoby Ellsbury | L/L | 6-1 | 185 | 09/11/83 | |||
Designated Hitters | B/T | Ht | Wt | DOB | |||
34 David Ortiz | L/L | 6-4 | 230 | 11/18/75 |
What's clear is that Aaron Bates will be sent down soon for someone. We also know that Buchholz is most likely going to make a start and that Lowrie and Lowell are coming back soon. So, barring injury, I'm assuming that Buch will just make one start and go back to Pawtucket. I'd been wondering if Beckett and Wakefield not pitching in the all-star game would have an effect on if he starts, but it looks like his start will still happen. (More insight into all of this here).
Another issue is who will make room for Lowrie and Lowell when they come back, which may be this weekend. My guess is that Buchholz will make his start and then be sent down to make room for Lowrie or Lowell (this is my assumption because I don't think all 3 would be on the roster at the same time). Essentially, I'm saying that Bates will be sent down, Buch and maybe one of Low/Low get called up, and then Buch gets sent down for Lowrie or Lowell, depending on how their recoveries are going. So ultimately, Lowell will most likely be in Bates' roster spot and Lowrie will replace a shortstop. According to Rotoworld, Green will probably be sent down unless Boston gets rid of Lugo somehow.
One last thing- I just don't see the Red Sox winding up with Roy Halladay. Despite the Yanks' interest in Halladay, the Red Sox aren't desperate for a starter, so I don't think he would solve any major problems or fill any holes, even if getting him would keep him away from New York.