The Boston Red Sox are in settlement with outfielder Adam Duvall on a one-year, $7 million contract. Performance bonuses may enhance his wage to $10 million.
Pending a bodily, this will probably be Duvall’s first foray into the American League. The 34-year-old spent the primary 9 years of his big-league profession within the National League, debuting with the San Francisco Giants in 2014, after which enjoying for the Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, after which Braves once more. He was an All-Star with the Reds in 2016 and received a Gold Glove and World Series ring with Atlanta in 2021.
Throughout his profession, Duvall has proven a propensity to strike out considerably extra (28.5%) than league common (21.9%) and is properly under common at drawing walks (6.7%). However, he’s hit 30+ dwelling runs thrice in 9 years, most not too long ago in 2021, when he set a career-high 38.
That energy is one thing the Sox want — Rafael Devers was the one Sox hitter with greater than 16 HR in 2022 — however Duvall’s HR% dropped from 6.9% in 2021, to three.8% final 12 months. After placing collectively a .241 ISO between 2014-21, his remoted energy plummeted to .188 earlier than a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist ended his season. Over 86 video games, he hit .213/.276/.401 with 16 doubles, 12 dwelling runs, 39 runs scored, and 36 RBI.
Defensively, Duvall brings loads to the desk. He’s ranked within the 67th percentile or higher in pace since Statcast started monitoring the metric in 2015. His arm energy, a more recent stat, ranked within the 77th or 78th percentile in every of the final three seasons, and he’s been within the 88th percentile or higher in Outs Above Average 4 instances within the final six years.
How will the Sox use him? If they need his bat within the lineup constantly, they’ll must play musical chairs with the outfield. Duvall spent the vast majority of his profession in left subject (566 video games), but in addition has 190 appearances mixed between proper (115) and heart (75).
Alex Verdugo spent the majority of 2022 (and his profession) in left subject, however newcomer Masataka Yoshida initiatives to be the beginning left-fielder. Super-utilityman Kiké Hernández may transfer from centerfield to the infield, however the center is Duvall’s least-familiar outfield spot, one he solely started protecting in 2020.
At Rafael Devers’ extension press convention, supervisor Alex Cora revealed that former prime prospect Jarren Duran will get one other likelihood to show himself, however the 26-year-old centerfielder hasn’t impressed offensively or defensively in his 91 big-league video games during the last two seasons.
Fenway Park’s difficult outfield dimensions complicate issues; the center-field triangle and right-field nook aren’t for the faint of coronary heart.
For the second offseason in a row, the Red Sox are playing {that a} roster stuffed with query marks will lead to the suitable solutions. This group may come collectively in an enormous manner; they’ve a number of World Series champions of their ranks, former All-Stars and a Cy Young arm.
Yoshida’s projections are promising. The bullpen upgrades are vital: Kenley Jansen led the NL in video games completed and saves final 12 months, and Chris Martin owns the bottom walk-rate of any energetic pitcher (min. 200 innings).
They have Devers — now with out the threatening storm cloud of an unsure future — and, best-case state of affairs, a Rookie of the Year candidate in Triston Casas. Brayan Bello exceeded rookie limits final 12 months, however has been coaching with Pedro Martinez this winter.
But for the primary time since August 2013, they don’t have Xander Bogaerts. Nathan Eovaldi and JD Martinez, linchpins of their most up-to-date championship, turned free brokers and headed west. Trevor Story’s UCL process earlier this month may hold him out for your complete season. Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck are each coming back from season-ending surgical procedure. Chris Sale missed all however 5 ⅔ innings final 12 months, and hasn’t pitched a full season since 2017. Of the seven major-league signings they’ve made up to now, six are 31 or older. Yoshida is the lone signee in his 20s, however he’s by no means performed within the majors earlier than.
In different phrases, loads has to go proper for this group. But individually and collectively, this group has one thing to show. In Boston sports activities, that’s at all times a harmful issue.
Source: www.bostonherald.com