5 potential infield targets for Red Sox
This story was excerpted from Ian Browne’s Red Sox Beat publication. To learn the total publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it frequently in your inbox.
In a month, the 2023 Red Sox can be gathered underneath the nice and cozy solar of Fort Myers, Fla. It stands to purpose that a number of the present holes on the roster can be crammed by then.
This is what we all know: Xander Bogaerts is with the Padres and Trevor Story is out indefinitely following proper elbow surgical procedure. With Kiké Hernández more likely to wind up within the infield at second or brief, and Duvall slotting in at middle, the Sox would want one center infielder.
Here is a take a look at some candidates in the marketplace.
Elvis Andrus. The 34-year-old free agent certain looks as if the very best of all of the obtainable choices that Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom has at his disposal. After hitting simply three homers for Oakland in 2021, Andrus regained some pop final season, mashing 17 homers whereas splitting his season between the A’s and White Sox. Andrus actually thrived with Chicago, going deep 9 occasions in 181 at-bats. The veteran nonetheless has pace, as evidenced by his 18 stolen bases final season. And he stays a reliable shortstop.
If the Sox can signal Andrus, he can be the unquestioned beginning shortstop, giving Bloom readability in easy methods to assemble the remainder of the roster. Also, if Story did come again this 12 months, the presence of Andrus would permit him to stay at second base — which might be much less taxing on his elbow — till 2024.
Ha-Seong Kim. Unlike Andrus, Kim just isn’t a free agent. He is with the San Diego Padres. Could it’s that the Padres’ signing of Bogaerts helps steer Kim to Boston? San Diego does have a glut of athletes of their infield, which may make the membership best-served packaging Kim to assist really feel out different areas of the membership. If a Kim to Boston commerce turns into a actuality, it isn’t exhausting to think about the Red Sox would make righty swingman Tanner Houck a centerpiece of that deal. Houck isn’t eligible without spending a dime company till 2028.
As for Kim, he performed in 150 video games final season, chipping in with 29 doubles, three triples and 12 stolen bases. He will earn an inexpensive wage of $6 million in 2023 earlier than getting bumped as much as $7 million in ’24. Wondering about protection? The 27-year-old from South Korea was a Rawlings Gold Glove finalist final season.
Jurickson Profar. The 29-year-old from Curaçao performed 152 video games for a top-contending Padres membership final 12 months, getting practically all his taking part in time in left area. But he’s a extremely versatile defender, with expertise in any respect 4 infield positions and the opposite two outfield positions. Profar isn’t a star on offense, however he’s a pleasant contributor and hit 15 homers final 12 months. His switch-hitting bat additionally provides worth.
Joey Wendle. The Marlins simply moved Miguel Rojas in a commerce to the Dodgers, that means Wendle may turn into the membership’s Opening Day shortstop. But that’s depending on Wendle not getting traded both. Marlins basic supervisor Kim Ng stated following the Rojas commerce that she isn’t ruling something out for the remainder of the offseason. Just like Rojas, Wendle is getting into his ultimate 12 months earlier than free company.
Wendle is a participant who Bloom has loads of familiarity with from the 2 years they spent along with the Rays. Another factor to remember about Wendle: He is a doubles hitter. Those kind of hitters usually match proper in at Fenway. Wendle rotated from second to brief to 3rd final season. He clearly wouldn’t have to play a lot third in Boston given the presence of Rafael Devers, however his expertise up the center makes him a great match. As a left-handed bat, he may slot in properly in a platoon with Christian Arroyo.
José Iglesias. How a couple of third stint in Boston for Iglesias, who began his profession with the Red Sox following his defection from Cuba? When Iglesias joined the Sox for the ultimate month of the 2021 season, he boosted the group’s playoff push with a sizzling streak on offense and his vitality and management within the clubhouse. Iglesias is youthful than you in all probability suppose at 33 years previous, and he hit .292 with the Rockies final 12 months. A shortstop for many of his profession, Iglesias proved in his return stint to Boston that he’s a powerful second baseman as effectively.
