The Red Sox have almost hit the season’s one-third mark, and within the coming days they’ll wrap up this week’s prolonged west coast highway journey and return to Fenway to kick off the summer season slate.
Sounds like nearly as good a time as any to empty the mailbag.
Today we’ll cowl some early commerce hypothesis, potential offseason strikes and the way the Red Sox are going to cope with their impending roster crunch because the membership begins getting more healthy.
I wished to get your tackle what the Sox ought to do when Adam Duvall returns. In my opinion, Jarren Duran has performed his approach because the beginning middle fielder and shouldn’t should relinquish his spot to Duvall. Given the present batting common of (Triston) Casas, can he and Duvall platoon and maybe Duvall DH a few times every week? — Jeff P.
It speaks to how good Duran has been that anybody has this type of sentiment, because the final time we noticed Duvall he was within the midst of an epic scorching streak with 4 residence runs and 14 RBI in his first eight video games with the membership. It is a good query although, and likewise an excellent drawback for the Red Sox to have.
Short reply, I believe when Duvall is activated he’ll get his job in middle area again, and I don’t see a bigger on a regular basis shakeup within the image. Moving Masataka Yoshida or Alex Verdugo out of their nook outfield spots isn’t an possibility, and the Red Sox are already form of doing the primary base platoon you prompt with Casas and Justin Turner. Plus, taking extra at-bats away from Casas would solely stunt his growth, and whereas his batting common on the season nonetheless isn’t good he’s been higher in May and leads the Red Sox in walks.
As for Duran, I believe when the time comes he’ll most likely return to Worcester so he can proceed getting common enjoying time. You can speak your self into every kind of roster contortions, however on the finish of the day when Duvall comes again the Red Sox would have six outfielders, together with two left-handed bats off the bench.
That simply isn’t workable, and whereas there’s little doubt Duran has earned his place within the large leagues, he’s not at some extent in his profession the place he’d be effectively served getting solely sporadic at-bats per week. It could be higher for everybody concerned to stay with Raimel Tapia in that pinch-hitter/runner bench function and for Duran to remain prepared for his subsequent alternative, whether or not it comes because of an damage, a commerce or another unexpected growth, or for when rosters increase in September.
Do you see James Paxton as a July commerce candidate, barring some unbelievable run by the Red Sox? He’s nearly 35, huge damage threat, rental, tradable contract, possible not a part of plans past ’23 and the Sox have younger choices they might slot into the rotation. — Sammy J.
I believe it’s far too early to attract any type of conclusions about James Paxton and his future with the Red Sox, however based mostly on what we’ve seen to date, no, positively not.
For one, the Red Sox aren’t prone to be sellers on the commerce deadline. As of this writing they’re solely 2.5 video games again of the final AL Wild Card spot, shut sufficient the place it wouldn’t require an “unbelievable run” to get above the lower line. It may simply take one good week.
If they’re in the same place by late July then wouldn’t they owe it to themselves so as to add an affect arm, not ship one away?
Beyond that, Paxton has to date been about nearly as good because the Red Sox might have realistically hoped for after principally lacking three years because of damage. In his first two begins again he allowed three runs over 11 innings, struck out 14 and solely walked three. Yes, Wednesday night time’s outing was a step again, however after so lengthy away some hiccups are to be anticipated.
Let’s say the Red Sox did put him in the marketplace. Would Paxton have numerous commerce worth? Probably not, for all the causes you listed, in order issues stand he’s most dear to the membership pitching within the beginning rotation. And if he will get damage or turns right into a pumpkin then the Red Sox can alter accordingly. They might at all times transfer Corey Kluber, Nick Pivetta or Kutter Crawford again into the rotation
Do you assume the Red Sox will prolong Alex Verdugo? If so what number of years and at what value? — Champ
This is an fascinating query that may rely loads on how Verdugo finishes the season. If he places collectively an All-Star marketing campaign and hits the way in which he did via the primary six weeks all the way in which to the tip, then sure, I believe figuring out an extension will grow to be a precedence. If he tails off, there received’t be almost as a lot urgency on the membership’s half.
As issues stand, Verdugo is because of grow to be a free agent after the 2024 season, and Red Sox followers know effectively how essential the offseason main right into a participant’s stroll yr is. This previous offseason the Red Sox reached a long-term settlement with Rafael Devers, however not way back Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi had been each traded after the 2 sides couldn’t attain a deal.
Let’s say Verdugo’s sturdy begin is sustainable and he actually is approaching All-Star caliber. What may he command in the marketplace?
Benintendi is definitely a helpful comp as a result of he simply hit free company this previous offseason and has had the same profession trajectory as Verdugo. Through their age 26 seasons the 2 had related profession slash strains (.286/.341/.431 for Verdugo, .274/.347/.437 for Benintendi), although Benintendi had 12.7 profession wins above alternative whereas Verdugo simply 8.5.
That being mentioned, Verdugo has proven nice enchancment in all phases of the sport this season and is on tempo to get pleasure from a greater Year 7 than Benintendi did. If that continues and Verdugo finishes the season sturdy that may presumably give him extra negotiating leverage with the Red Sox entrance workplace this winter.
Benintendi simply obtained 5 years, $75 million from the Chicago White Sox. Would Verdugo take that deal if the Red Sox prolonged the identical provide? It’s potential, but when Verdugo can get that type of cash now, he may be prepared to guess on himself and attempt to play his approach into a good larger deal subsequent yr.
Which rookie call-up are you most impressed with, and why? — Justin
The Red Sox have gotten numerous manufacturing from their younger expertise, and the strides made by guys like Jarren Duran and Josh Winckowski have been extremely encouraging. But strictly relative to expectations I don’t assume you possibly can say sufficient concerning the job Enmanuel Valdez has performed.
To be frank, Valdez isn’t speculated to be right here. With Trevor Story, Christian Arroyo and Yu Chang all on the injured record and no different center infielders with MLB expertise obtainable on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox principally promoted Valdez as a result of they didn’t have every other alternative. He wasn’t even off to a very good begin in Triple-A, batting .184 via his first 14 video games, however since being known as up he’s greater than validated the Red Sox belief.
So far via 23 large league video games Valdez has batted .273 with three residence runs, 4 doubles, 10 RBI and a .794 OPS, and his three-run homer final Saturday in San Diego was the distinction in that night time’s 4-2 win. It’s not an enormous pattern dimension, but it surely’s not a tiny one both. Valdez can actually hit.
Has the protection been an journey at instances? Yes. Is Valdez prone to be despatched again down as soon as the membership begins getting wholesome once more? Most possible. But given the circumstances Valdez has drastically exceeded expectations and deserves numerous credit score for holding down the fort at second base.
Is there any hope that the Red Sox will make an aggressive transfer to convey Shohei Ohtani to Boston? — Bruce
Hope is the operative phrase, proper?
Shohei Ohtani could be the final word addition. How usually do you might have an opportunity to signal one man who can each function your ace and a center of the order slugger? Even if he comes with a historic price ticket, the Red Sox would owe it to themselves to at the least attempt to convey him to Boston when he hits free company this offseason.
Could it occur? Recent historical past provides loads of cause for pessimism, however the Red Sox at the moment are at some extent of their aggressive cycle the place an enormous exterior splash makes much more sense.
The Red Sox have already spent large bucks to increase Rafael Devers, and as Chaim Bloom mentioned at Winter Weekend, while you make an funding like that you really want to have the ability to maximize the early years of the deal and encompass that participant with sufficient expertise to win straight away.
The membership’s newest wave of younger expertise can be reaching the majors, with Garrett Whitlock, Tanner Houck and Brayan Bello all now getting the possibility to lock down spots within the beginning rotation long-term. If they will show their mettle the Red Sox would have the core of their rotation set on extremely team-friendly phrases for the following few years.
So you inform me. Would it make sense including Ohtani to a rotation that features these three plus Chris Sale, and likewise to a lineup anchored by Devers, Trevor Story, Masataka Yoshida and Alex Verdugo? If the Red Sox fancy themselves severe championship contenders they shouldn’t draw back from the type of aggressive strikes we’ve seen from their rivals in recent times if it means getting over the hump.
I’m not saying it’s going to occur, and I’m not even saying it’s possible, however sure, there’s hope.
Source: www.bostonherald.com