Questions remain about why the [Boston Red Sox](https://nesn.com/boston-red-sox) didn't bring up Franklin Arias in the last month or so of the regular season. Arias was sent to Triple-A and proved that he can be one of the best young players in Major League Baseball during the second half of 2026, appearing in 42 games and hitting a ridiculous .331 with an .894 OPS, despite being just 20 years old.
As for why the Red Sox didn't call up Arias, it wasn't exactly a surprise, despite the questions.
The reality is that calling up a 20-year-old during a pennant race is never easy. Other factors may have played a role, with the latest report suggesting the looming lockout could be part of the reason.
“The Red Sox opted not to promote Arias at the end of the regular season, in part because if they added him to the 40-man roster, Arias would not have been able to work out at Red Sox facilities in Fort Myers, Fla. this offseason or participate in minor-league spring training workouts or games, all crucial pieces for his continued development,” Jen McCaffrey [wrote](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7705551/2026/10/20/red-sox-shortstop-decision-trevor-story-franklin-arias/).
Because Arias wasn't on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox could enter this offseason with some peace of mind.
While the lockout isn't guaranteed, baseball will likely be locked out for at least a couple of weeks.
For a young guy with this kind of talent, the Red Sox likely want to keep him under their wing and make sure he's doing everything necessary to contribute when called upon.
Unfortunately, that caused him not to get a chance to play in Major League Baseball yet.
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