BOSTON - The Red Sox should keep call-ups to a minimum.
In past years, when they've been contenders, the Red Sox have called up as many as 10 players once rosters expand on Sept. 1 and minor league seasons end.
Teams benefit from the absurb rule that allows teams to add as many as 15 players to the 25-man roster in Sept. 1. They've brought up lefty specialists, pinch-runners, and all sorts of players to help them in game situations, ensuring that they never run out of players or options for every conceivable matchup.
But this September will be different. The Red Sox are not in contention and the games aren't terribly important.
The Red Sox already have a mostly young roster and want to take every oportunity to further evaluate the likes of Travis Shaw, Blake Swihart, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rusney Castillo.
Already, thanks to the likes of Hanley Ramirez and Alejando de Aza, the Sox aren't able to play Bradley, Castillo and Mookie Betts every day in the outfield.
Summoning more position players will only make the roster congesion worse.
The other day, Torey Lovullo said the Sox intent to bring up a backup catcher, a middle infielder, a spare outfielder and some pitching.
That should do it. If the Sox bring up Sandy Leon, Deven Marrero, Bryce Brentz and a young pitcher or two, that should be more than enough.
There's already enough evaluating to be done. Adding any more than a half-dozen players -- tops -- would only further distract and detract from the main job at hand.