Red Sox Still Seeking Infield Help

The Crimson Sox are nonetheless evaluating the marketplace for depth on the place participant aspect, writes Chris Cotillo of MassLive. That acquisition would ideally be an infielder who may compete with the likes of Pablo Reyes, Bobby Dalbec, Enmanuel Valdez and Romy González for a backup job.

Boston had been linked to some depth infielders who’ve come off the market in current weeks. The Sox had been tied to every of Amed Rosario, Gio Urshela and Garrett Cooper at factors. None of these gamers would’ve been expensive. Rosario and Ursehla took $1.5MM ensures with the Rays and Tigers, respectively. Cooper settled for a non-roster pact with the Cubs. The Sox evidently didn’t really feel their want for infield assist was sufficiently urgent to handily high these provides. However, there are nonetheless just a few gamers they might strive to usher in a minor league or one-year MLB deal.

Donovan Solano can cowl any of first, second or third base. He’s coming off a .282/.369/.391 displaying for the Twins a 12 months in the past. Elvis Andrus can cowl both center infield spot and is the perfect remaining free agent shortstop. Evan Longoria may see motion at both nook infield place, whereas C.J. Cron and Joey Votto can be found for groups in search of first base assist. Cotillo notes that Adam Duvall, one other reported participant of curiosity to the Sox, has first base expertise along with his extra conventional outfield work.

Boston isn’t going so as to add an on a regular basis infielder. They’re comfy throughout the diamond with Triston Casas, Vaughn Grissom, Trevor Story and Rafael Devers. That has the potential to be a lackluster defensive group, notably on the left aspect, however none of them are in peril of being squeezed out of the Opening Day lineup.

Reyes turned in a .287/.339/.377 batting line in a career-high 185 plate appearances a 12 months in the past. He performed each center infield spots and may bounce all through the infield. Reyes doesn’t deliver any energy to the desk, however his contact abilities and defensive flexibility make him a viable utility participant. He’s additionally out of choices, so the Sox must commerce or waive him in the event that they’re not going to hold him on the MLB roster. That offers him shot at making the membership.

There’d be room for yet one more depth kind, ideally somebody with extra offensive punch than Reyes brings to the desk. Dalbec, González, Valdez and David Hamilton all nonetheless have choices remaining. If the Sox introduced in somebody on an enormous league contract, it may spur some type of motion with Dalbec. He’s 28 and going into his ultimate possibility season.

Dalbec confirmed promise three seasons in the past, hitting 25 residence runs with a .240/.298/.494 slash over 453 plate appearances. He struck out greater than 34% of the time, although, and he hasn’t remedied these swing-and-miss points. Dalbec hit .215/.283/.369 in 2022 and solely obtained into 21 MLB video games final 12 months. He had a monster slash line for the Sox’s high affiliate in Worcester — .269/.381/.557 with 33 homers, tying for the Triple-A lead — however continued to strike out at a near-35% charge.