The Boston Red Sox have released George Kottaras, the 26 year old catcher who put up 237/.308/.387 in 103 PAs last season.  Kottaras found himself the odd man out as fifth catcher on on the 40 man roster and third with no options left.  The writing was on the wall for Kottaras when Varitek picked up his option, yet another victim of this cruel happenstance.

The move is not a big shock with Wagner and Brown still in Pawtucket, both catchers being defensively superior to Kottaras.  The move came as the Red Sox prepare to finalize their 40 man roster for Rule V protection on Friday.  There are a couple of notable prospects who are comingup with Rule V elibility as the Red Sox now have eight spots open on their 40 man roster though not every spot will be used to be protect prospects.  The Red Sox will leave a couple of spots opening for free agent.

 My guess for protection: Yamaico Navarro, Jorge Jimenez, and Jason Rice.

Yamaico Navarro is a smooth fielding SS with .284/.346/.426 career minor league batting line. Navarro struggled after his promotion to Portland last year but has only just turned 22.  He may have to move from SS with Iglesias either starting the year in AA or having a quick trip in High A.  Still Navarro with his fielding and his ability to hit can still become MLB utility IF.  A NL team could definitely use him as a utility player.

Jimenez has been a solid 3B player in the Red Sox system for a couple of years.  Not a blue chip prospect Jimenez still has a decent batting eye and ability to make contact with a .298/.377/.423 career batting line.   Can play both first and third base, Jimenez lacks the ideal power of corner infielder bt still can be a useful piece as he begins the year in as the starting 3B in Pawtucket.

Jason Rice is a 23 year old fireball reliever who was grabbed from the White Sox in the AAA phase of the Rule V draft last year.  Never able to get it together in the White Sox system as they moved him from starting to bullpen duties, Rice was able to excel in a strictly bullpen role.  Rice went through a season in Salem where he put up 2.44 ERA with 1.13 WHIP and 12.1 K/9.  Pitchers like this are often taken in Rule V drafts because of the ease to hide them in a back of a bullpen (though this guy might be able to pitch set up in NatsTown).

In danger of being taken would be Lentz and possibly Daeges or Bell.  Daeges has a quality minor league bat but was injured much of last year and has no natural position.  Bell could play as a fifth OF for NL team but does not have a lot of upside.  Lentz has had control issues however has been able to show much better control in the Arizona Fall League which has a pitcher's nightmare.