What's Left?

The Sox noisily created a hole in the infield for themselves with their trade of Marco Scutaro last week.  While they possess in-house options with Nick Punto, Mike Aviles and Jose Iglesias there are reports that they are looking outside the organization for some help.

Shortstop is not the only open slot on the roster.  The Sox are likely to still have interest in a starting pitcher and in my opinion should be considering another reliever as well.

While Spring Training is fast approaching and most of the big names are off the board when it comes to free agents, that does not mean the Sox do not still have options.  There are some players out there who could be of help to the local nine.  Let’s take a look at some possibilities based on ESPN's Free Agent Tracker;

Roy Oswalt – RHP – I covered this in detail earlier in the week.  I really want him.

Edwin Jackson – RHP – Jackson reportedly is willing to consider a one year deal with his market shrinking fast.  Jackson is not a star but he is a solid and durable pitcher who would give the Sox some certainty they currently lack.

Jeff Francis – LHP – Francis is a step down from the previous two hurlers on this list but he could be helpful.  Odd to say about a guy who missed a season with major arm surgery in 2009 but he is generally durable and while not great, is not awful.

Juan Cruz – RHRP – Cruz is kind of a ScotT. Williamson-type.   Skinny (though not as short) and tends to have high walk totals but augments that with a decent K rate and an ability to avoid hits.  Durability is not his strong suit but 40-50 innings of Cruz is likely to be helpful.

Brad Lidge – RHRP – I am not quite sure why Lidge is still out there.  If he is seeking a pure Closer’s role then Boston (with Andrew Bailey) is probably not the place.  If he is willing to come in and play the role Takashi Saito played so well in 2009 (jack of all trades, master of none) he could be a nice fit.  His contract demands may not be feasible.

Dan Wheeler – RHRP – For the same reasons I liked picking up Wheeler a year ago I still like him.  He has his flaws (LHB, the home run ball) but is a solid reliever.  After his May DL stint he was a different pitcher last year (11.32 ERA before, 2.54 ERA after).

And one more interesting player;

Pedro Ciriaco – SS – Maybe you are better than me and caught this, but apparently the Red Sox already have this guy signed as a non-roster invitee for Spring Training.  ESPN still lists him as unsigned but the Sox’ official website says he is an NRI and they are usually the last (since they have to wait for the Is to be dotted and the Ts to be crossed).

So who the hell is he?  Well, he has been in both the Diamondback and then Pirate systems with fairly minimal MLB experience.  Pirates Prospects describes him as strong defensively and very fast saying “(h)is arm and defensive ability are above average and his speed rates a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale.”

They paint a less rosy picture of his offense noting that “he lacks power, doesn’t make good contact, and rarely walks.”

So he is Jose Iglesias with less glove and more speed.

Ciriaco got a late season call up in 2011 and posted a very nice .303/.324/.424 line.  His minor league numbers suggest that was beginner’s luck and I won’t share his minor league numbers with you for fear you will be struck blind in terror.

Still, if he can pick it and he can run he probably gets a Spring Training look.  I would expect him to be a nothing player who never suits up in the regular season but his profile struck me and in a world where the best free agent shortstops left are Ryan Theriot and Jeff Keppinger (neither an upgrade over what the Sox have) I figured I would talk about him a bit.