The Boston Red Sox are cutting loose ends with a lot of players this month. Abraham Toro was DFA'd a week ago on the 21st, Jovani Moran has been recalled and optioned back down to AAA Worcester, and Nate Eaton could be the next wrinkle they want to iron out.
With Justin Slaten officially returning to the mound after more than two months, and Rob Refsnyder coming off the injured list, the Red Sox need to figure out their roster construction. Eaton was called up shortly after Refsnyder's injury, but hasn't been setting the world on fire by any means.
Nate Eaton Is Officially on Thin Ice Ahead of the Final Stretch of the Season
He's only batting .143, with just one hit in seven at-bats. Is this a small sample size? Yes. Is that still going to affect his job in the majors with the Red Sox down the road? Absolutely. Will they eventually demote him to AAA to make room for future talent? That's a guaran-damn-tee.
See, the problem isn't with either player. He can be used as a starter on any team that they see fit. The problem is he's not a formidable starter. He's one to be a placeholder on the team for a year or so before they find his inevitable replacement. That's what happened with his former team in Kansas City, where he was replaced by anyone else who was better than him.
The only difference between Eaton and Refsnyder is that Refsnyder is outstanding against lefties, and has been his entire career. Eaton can't hit the breaking pitch, nor the offspeed against left-handed pitching. Which is ironic, because he hits well with those pitches off of right-handers. Eaton's a David Hamilton-type of player, where he's used mainly for his speed on the basepaths. Refsnyder can do that and field the ball as well.
So with that in mind, Eaton isn't just an inevitable demotion, he's a "guaran-damn-tee".