Eric Hosmer is the Red Sox’ new first baseman, however it seems Bobby Dalbec will proceed to get alternatives as nicely.
For Saturday evening’s street recreation towards the Royals, Dalbec was within the Sox’ lineup enjoying first base towards Royals’ lefty Daniel Lynch.
The right-handed hitting Dalbec has been higher towards lefties, hitting .235 with a .728 OPS off them this yr, however stays far behind his tempo towards lefties final yr, when he hit .278 with an .877 OPS.
Hosmer hits left-handed however has been an on a regular basis participant all through his profession. He entered the weekend hitting .320 with a .772 OPS off lefties.
Based on this yr’s numbers alone, a platoon between Hosmer and Dalbec doesn’t make a lot sense. But Hosmer has struggled towards lefties for many of his profession, with a .254 common/.668 OPS in comparison with a .288 common/.811 OPS towards righties.
He’s underneath contract for 3 extra years and $39 million complete, although the Padres are paying everything of that wage.
Dalbec, 27, is equally making a wage close to the league minimal and he gained’t be arbitration eligible till 2024.
It stays to be seen how lengthy the Red Sox go along with Hosmer at first base. One of their high prospects, Triston Casas, is hitting simply .212 with a .673 OPS and two homers in 13 video games since returning to Triple-A Worcester after a two-month hiatus because of an ankle harm.
JBJ nonetheless out there
As of Saturday, Jackie Bradley Jr. had but to catch on with one other workforce, although it shouldn’t take lengthy for Bradley to latch on with a contender who wants assist in the outfield.
The Sox are on the hook for everything of Bradley’s $11-million wage and any workforce that indicators him must pay him solely the league minimal.
The Sox might’ve used Bradley on Friday evening, when Jarren Duran took one other unhealthy route in middle area that almost value the Sox a run.
Kyle Isbel lifted an extended flyball towards the middle area warning observe and Duran’s first step was in, then he was too gradual to regulate and couldn’t catch up because the ball bounced off his glove and into the wall. He was as soon as once more gradual to retrieve the ball and Isbel made it to 3rd with a simple triple.
A pure second baseman, Duran ranks as one of many worst defensive middle fielders in baseball, in keeping with defensive runs saved. He’s value the Sox six runs worse than common, which ranks him sixty fifth out of 69 middle fielders with a minimum of 100 innings this yr.
Duran was on the bench in favor of Jaylin Davis on Saturday. Davis made a diving catch in middle area within the second inning.
Reyes on the waiver wire
The Sox might want to check out 27-year-old Franmil Reyes, Cleveland’s slugging first baseman who was designated for project on Saturday.
Reyes, listed at 6-5, 265 kilos, entered 2022 with an .828 OPS over 4 massive league seasons, however has struggled mightily with the Guardians this yr. He’s hitting .213 with a .603 OPS and a outstanding 104 strikeouts in 280 plate appearances.
But he’s nonetheless arbitration eligible for 2 extra seasons, if the Sox wish to work him within the combine with Hosmer and Dalbec, although it will be robust to squeeze three first baseman-types on the identical roster as designated hitter J.D. Martinez.
Pedro voices concern
Boston is a tricky city to wrestle in, and now the Red Sox have one in all their very own, Pedro Martinez, being essential of the workforce’s commerce deadline strikes.
Martinez advised MLB Network this week that the Sox’ trades made no sense to him.
“I just don’t see where the path is, really, for the Red Sox,” Martinez stated, in keeping with WEEI.com. “They have a headache with (Rafael) Devers. They have a headache with the most consistent player they’ve ever had, Xander Bogaerts. They just got rid of (Christian) Vazquez, who figured that out in the middle of the field. I have a hard time understanding where the thought process is.”
Wacha on the mend
Injured starter Michael Wacha, who threw 4 2/3 hitless innings on a rehab begin with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, will make yet another rehab begin Tuesday earlier than he makes it again to the Red Sox, supervisor Alex Cora advised reporters in Kansas City.
Source: www.bostonherald.com