With Trevor Story, Roman Anthony and Isiah Kiner-Falefa all nearing returns to the big leagues, the Boston Red Sox will have to make some tough roster and playing time decisions.
Mickey Gasper, Nick Sogard, Anthony Seigler and Andruw Monasterio are at the highest risk of losing at-bats, or potentially even a roster spot. Gasper has been red hot as of late, and Monasterio has been great ever since taking over at shortstop. Sogard and Seigler have each come up in big moments to help the Red Sox get through some tough injury issues.
Rosters expand on Sept. 1, and that could help the Red Sox limit the damage they will have to do to the roster to get all of their guys back, and Kiner-Falefa knows that.
"I understand how things move with the roster,” Kiner-Falefa told MassLive's Chris Cotillo on Tuesday. “We’ve got a lot of quality guys and guys, who have done things, who don’t deserve to come down or be (designated for assignment).”
He's right. Sogard, Seigler and Gasper do not deserve to be sent down right now. Jahmai Jones and Eli White could also lose their spots to get Anthony, Story and Kiner-Falefa back in Boston, but neiother of those players has options left. They would have to be designated for assignment.
Kiner-Falefa likely wants to be back in the big leagues, helping the team, but understands that he does not have to rush since the players filling in have all played great.
“I just don’t want to rush. I know to win the World Series, I’m going to have to be the best version of myself, (or) if not the best version, close to it. I’m looking at the big picture, and I think the best thing for me is to get extra games,” said Kiner-Falefa, per The Boston Globe's Alex Peier on Tuesday. “September 1 would be more ideal for me (as a return date). I just think it would be best because like you’ll get the better version of me.”