If 2010 taught the Red Sox anything, it's that you cannot have too much in the way of organizational depth. Changeable parts, injury replacements — all are needed at some point in time, or in the case of last year's team, on an everyday basis.
Such is the logic behind the low-profile but potentially important signing of infielder/outfielder Drew Sutton, formerly of the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians.
Sutton, 27, is a switch hitter who has hit .222 with three home runs at the major league level but has shown just enough pop and speed as a minor leaguer to merit some attention.
What occurred last year in Boston was somewhat of a funnel effect. As major leaguers went down left and right with injury, the top options at the minor league level were promoted to fill their voids, some perhaps at a time when their promotion was not ideal. The depth on the farm then suffered.
Sutton would represent another major league-ready option in the event the Red Sox lose a few starters to injury.
His numbers won't wow you. The signing is tiny compared to those we will see on a weekly basis the rest of this offseason. But at some point in the midst of a push for a playoff spot, Drew Sutton may be in the middle of the action. That's what we learned in 2010.
