Brock Holt: 29 other teams would be happy to have me if Red Sox don't want me
Brock Holt is on the bubble when it comes to landing a spot on the Opening Day roster for the Boston Red Sox, but that uncertainty hasn't created a lack of confidence for the super-utility man.
"Yeah, I'm not too worried about it. If the Red Sox don't want me on the roster, I'm sure there's 29 other teams that would be happy to have me on the roster," Holt said, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. "That's one of those things, you don't worry about it. I feel like I'm deserving of a spot on the team and I think if you ask anyone in the clubhouse, they would say the same thing. So I'm not too worried about it. Whatever happens, happens, and you go from there."
Holt's name has populated trade rumors in recent weeks as the Red Sox face a roster crunch heading into the start of the season. With Sandy Leon and Mitch Moreland both set to occupy two of the four bench positions, the competition comes down to Holt, Blake Swihart, and Deven Marrero for the final two spots. Both Swihart and Marrero are out of minor-league options, however, and the Red Sox would risk losing them for nothing if they try to send them down.
The Red Sox could opt to start Holt in the minors as he does have options, though there are some potential issues. The 29-year-old is owed $2.225 million this season and the club would likely rather shed that salary than pay it to someone in the minors.
An All-Star for the first time in 2015, Holt - who has appeared in 419 games over five seasons in Boston - is coming off the worst campaign of his career, which was mainly due to concussion issues. He says he is healthy this spring and has been productive, hitting .345/.472/.448 with three doubles in 13 games.
"I feel really good," said Holt. "I feel healthy, that's the main thing. I feel good, I feel better than I've felt in a long, long time so I'm taking that as a positive and trying to roll with it. I had a good offseason, came in feeling good, feeling strong and still feeling good a week out (before the season), so it's been good."