Expected Lockout Could Cause Red Sox to Not Promote Franklin Arias

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Major League Baseball's expected lockout in December will bring a ton of questions about what the league looks like in the short and long term. Long-term-wise, there is an expectation that a salary cap could be implemented. It remains uncertain what will really happen on that front, but there are at least some rumblings about it.

Short-term-wise, there are decisions that could be made on prospects that have an impact.

That includes one on Boston Red Sox youngster Franklin Arias, with two reporters from the Boston Herald recently outlining why he might not get called up over the next month or so.

“With a lockout all but certain to begin this December, teams won’t be able to communicate with any player on the 40-man roster until a new labor deal is reached. Those players also won’t be able to train at club facilities, an especially problematic issue for prospects and minor leaguers who won’t be allowed to attend minor league spring training, which will continue even if a new labor deal hasn’t been reached and big league camps remain shut down.

“From that perspective, keeping Arias in Triple-A and off the 40-man roster would ensure he can continue working with club staff at a key point in his development. But at every point in his career, Arias has pushed the envelope, and if the Red Sox decide he gives them the best chance to compete for a World Series this October, perhaps we could see him starting at shortstop in Boston sooner rather than later,” Mac Cerullo and Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald wrote.

There are obviously workarounds with things like this, but from the basic standpoint that he won't be able to be in the facility, there is plenty of truth to that.

Ultimately, however, the Red Sox have to figure out whether they believe he can make a true impact for them right now or if they'd rather save him for when times are better.

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