Red Sox Promote Versatile Newcomer After Strong Start, Demote Former Fan Favorite

Boston's roster construction makes more sense after their latest move

Scott Neville | Apr 9, 2024

Feb 28, 2024; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Romy Gonzalez (center) / Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

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Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox had a largely successful road trip to kick off their season but did so with some awkward roster contruction.

One of their wins required manager Alex Cora to empty the bench in an extra-innings affair with the Oakland Athletics. Due to their lack of versatility, Cora was forced to put his designated hitter -- Triston Casas -- on the field, revoking the DH spot and placing a pitcher in the lineup.

Boston locked up a 5-4 win but did so in an unorthodox way. That game, as well as some early-season production, has led to an early roster move.

The Red Sox have called up utility man Romy Gonzalez to the big-league roster the team announced. To make room for the versatile newcomer, first baseman Bobby Dalbec has been optioned to Triple-A Worcester.

Gonzalez hit .321 (9-for-28) with six extra-base hits including three home runs, 10 RBIs and a 1.196 OPS in seven games for the WooSox to open the season.

The 27-year-old impressed with his glove and flashed with his bat in spring training. He'll now be in the mix for a role up the middle and will also be able to provide spot appearances all over the diamond.

Gonzalez has logged time at shortstop, second base and first base already this season and has played every position professionally except pitcher and catcher. He'll aid Cora's day-to-day decision-making by giving his skipper flexibility.

As for Dalbec, his time in the Red Sox organization should have expired years ago. The 28-year-old is 0-for-9 with six strikeouts to open the season and has a staggering 54.8% strikeout rate over the last two seasons, which includes 58 at-bats.

We'll continue to talk about the former fan-favorite slugger as potential trade bait this season.

More MLB: Newly Acquired Red Sox Pitching Prospect Reportedly Set For Breakout Season

Published Apr 9, 2024

SCOTT NEVILLE

Scott Neville covers the Boston Red Sox for Sports Illustrated's new page "Inside The Red Sox." Before starting "Inside The Red Sox", Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate and current co-worker Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series" where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join the Sports Illustrated Media Group in his current endeavor as the publisher of "Inside The Red Sox." The successful launch and quick rise of "Inside The Red Sox" led to Neville joining the Baseball Essential ownership group, a national baseball site under SIMG. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: nevilles@merrimack.edu