Red Sox are allegedly looking at trades to increase the depth of their infield

Red Sox are allegedly looking at trades to increase the depth of their infield.

 

 

According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, the Red Sox are still assessing the position player market for depth. An infielder who could contend for a backup role against players like Romy González, Enmanuel Valdez, Bobby Dalbec, and Pablo Reyes would be the ideal acquisition.

 

A couple depth infielders who have left the market in recent weeks have been connected to Boston. At various periods, the Sox were linked with Garrett Cooper, Gio Urshela, and Amed Rosario. Those players would never have been expensive. Ursehla and Rosario signed $1.5 million guarantees with the Tigers and Rays, respectively. Cooper and the Cubs agreed to a non-roster agreement. Evidently, the Sox didn’t think their need for infield assistance was urgent enough to warrant accepting those offers. They might still attempt to sign a couple guys to a minor league or one-year MLB contract, though.

 

It is possible for Donovan Solano to cover first, second, or third base. He had a.282/.369/.391 line for the Twins the previous season. Elvis Andrus is the best shortstop available to free agents, covering both middle infield positions. While teams looking for first base support have access to C.J. Cron and Joey Votto, Evan Longoria might see action at either corner infield spot. Cotillo points out that in addition to his more conventional outfield work, Adam Duvall, another player who is reportedly of interest to the Sox, has first base expertise.

 

Boston won’t bring in a regular infielder. With Trevor Story, Rafael Devers, Vaughn Grissom, and Triston Casas, they feel at ease on the other side of the diamond. None of them are in danger of being left out of the Opening Day lineup, but that may be a weak defensive group, especially on the left side.

 

A year earlier, Reyes made a career-high 185 plate appearances and recorded a batting line of.287/.339/.377. He can bounce about the infield and plays both middle infield positions. Reyes lacks strength, but his defensive adaptability and contact ability make him a useful utility player. Additionally, if the Sox decide not to keep him on the MLB roster, they will need to trade or waive him because he has run out of options. That increases his chances of getting into the club.

 

One additional depth type would be acceptable, ideally with more attacking punch than Reyes offers. David Hamilton, Valdez, González, and Dalbec are the ones with remaining options. There might be movement with Dalbec if the Sox signed someone to a big-league contract. Entering his last season of options, he is 28 years old.

 

Three seasons prior, Dalbec had potential, slashing.240/.298/.494 across 453 plate appearances and hitting 25 home runs. But he was out of luck more than 34 percent of the time, and he hasn’t fixed his swing-and-miss problems. With just 21 MLB games played in 2022, Dalbec hit.215/.283/.369 in that year. Although he was vying for the Triple-A lead with 33 home runs and a tremendous slash line for the Sox’s highest affiliate in Worcester (.269/.381/.557), he was still striking out at a rate close to 35 percent.