MLB Spring Training 2012: A Breakdown of Boston's Final Roster Spot Candidates

With under a week remaining until Opening Day, the Boston Red Sox' 25-man roster is coming together. There were plenty of "locks" to make the team and there has been some great competition over who starts the season in the rotation, at shortstop and even on the team.

Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe spoke with Bobby Valentine this morning about the final spot on the roster and who might be in contention. Valentine said that it would be unlikely to have 13 pitchers on the roster and if that's the case, it leaves five position players in the mix to make the team.

Here is a breakdown of each of those five players who could end up on the Opening Day 25-man roster.

Ryan Lavarnway, C/DH

Spring Statistics: .455/.500/.515, 4 R, 0 HR, 4 RBI

Outlook: Ryan Lavarnway has a had a great spring training, showing that he is capable of hitting big league pitching. The problem is that he would be the third catcher on the 25-man roster and the Sox are unlikely to carry three backstops.

He's a big catcher who can hit, but he still needs more development before he is labeled the catcher of the future.

He won't be able to get that if he starts the season in Boston.

Prediction: Pawtucket (AAA)

Dan Butler, C

Spring Statistics: .308/.308/.538, 2 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI

Outlook: Dan Butler is a good catcher and someday, he might be a major league player. He showed improvements this spring but the kid just isn't ready for the big time. Last season, he spent the majority of the year in Salem (A) before moving up to Salem (AA) at the tail end of 2011.

Butler hit .313 in the Arizona Fall League, but needs a lot more seasoning before we can seriously debate if he deserves a spot on the 25-man roster.

Prediction: Portland (AA)

Nate Spears, 2B/3B

Spring Statistics: .324/.432/.459, 11 R, 1 HR, 5 RBI

Outlook: Nate Spears is not what Boston needs on their major league roster, especially if Nick Punto is on the team. Nate Spears is a poor man's NIck Punto. He has never hit .300 in any of his minor league seasons.

Sure, he's a versatile infielder who can play second base, shortstop or third base but he's basically a contact hitter that doesn't add a lot of value to the Red Sox.

To boot, he most likely won't even be a starter in Pawtucket (AAA) according to the projected rosters of SoxProspects.com.

Prediction: Pawtucket (AAA)

Jason Repko, OF

Spring Statistics: .243/.333/.324, 6 R, 0 HR, 4 RBI

Outlook: Having another outfielder on the roster to start the season, since Carl Crawford won't be ready for Opening Day, isn't crazy but I don't think it will happen. Boston already has Jacoby Ellsbury, Cody Ross, Ryan Sweeney and Darnell McDonald as basically "locks" to make the team. Keeping Repko in the majors for a few games doesn't make a lot of sense.

He's an average outfielder who has a decent amount of major league experience but has failed to stay healthy over his career.

His spring training numbers are not even that impressive.

Prediction: Pawtucket (AAA)

Pedro Ciriaco, SS/2B

Spring Statistics: .429/.444/.657, 10 R, 1 HR, 7 RBI

Outlook: When camp opened no one would've known who you were talking about if you said the name Pedro Ciriaco. Now, he's the talk of the town. He's been an absolute showstopper this Spring, putting up great numbers at the plate and throwing the leather around on the field.

He's really the best option between Jose Iglesias and Nick Punto.

He's a better hitter than Iglesias and a better fielder than Punto, but has yet to establish himself in the minor leagues. If he were to make the team, he would provide Boston with a solid back-up option and a speedy pinch-runner off the bench.

If it were my decision, I'm keeping the fan favorite.

Prediction: Boston (MLB)