Spring training is officially underway, with the Red Sox kicking things off against Northeastern University on Friday before facing the Rays on Saturday. As the team prepares for the 2025 season, key roster decisions loom, with Craig Breslow and the front office set to trim the squad down to 40 players.
With that in mind, here are four Red Sox players who may find themselves on the outside looking in as the roster crunch approaches.
Four Red Sox Players in Danger of Losing Their Roster Spot
Nick Sogard
Middle infielder Nick Sogard finds himself in a tough position heading into 2025. The 26-year-old played in just 31 major league games last season, posting a solid .273/.326/.325 slash line along with an 82 OPS+ and 81 wRC+. While his numbers aren’t bad, Sogard faces stiff competition in a crowded infield. With top prospects Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell on the verge of breaking into the majors, Sogard could be the odd man out.
Romy González
Much like Sogard, Romy González faces an uphill battle to retain his roster spot. The 28-year-old utility player appeared in 89 games for the Red Sox last season, contributing a respectable .266/.306/.417 line with a 99 OPS+ and 97 wRC+. Though not a star, González provided solid defense and a reliable bat in an injury-plagued 2024 campaign.
However, with the Red Sox expecting a healthier roster in 2025 and the additions of top prospects Mayer and Campbell, González’s role becomes uncertain. The signing of veteran Abraham Toro on a minor-league deal further complicates matters—if Toro impresses in spring training, González could be on the way out.
Cooper Criswell
Right-hander Cooper Criswell played a key role in Boston’s rotation last season, making 18 starts and recording a 4.08 ERA, 4.15 FIP, and 105 ERA+ over 99 1/3 innings. While he proved to be a dependable back-end starter, the Red Sox’s offseason additions of Patrick Sandoval, Garrett Crochet, and Walker Buehler significantly diminish his chances of retaining a starting role.
Criswell’s future with the team remains uncertain, though he could still carve out a spot as a multi-inning reliever.
Josh Winckowski
Josh Winckowski’s place on the roster may come as a surprise, but he enters spring training with something to prove. After an excellent 2023 season in which he posted a 2.88 ERA out of the bullpen, the 25-year-old took a step back in 2024, finishing with a 4.14 ERA, 4.48 FIP, and 103 ERA+ over 76 innings.
While his performance alone wouldn’t necessarily cost him a roster spot, Boston’s bullpen depth could work against him. With the likes of Criswell, Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert, and Garrett Whitlock all in the mix for middle-relief roles, Winckowski faces stiff competition for a place on the 2025 roster.
As the Red Sox evaluate their options in spring training, these four players will need to make a strong impression to secure their spots.
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