Second helping for Sox
Nunez back in supporting role
FORT MYERS — The Red Sox officially have second base insurance.
Sunday morning, infielder Eduardo Nunez signed a one-year contract with a player option for 2019. The deal is worth $4 million in 2018 and the option is for $4 million with a $2 million buyout, according to a league source.
If he returns in 2019, Nunez can earn another $2 million based on plate appearances in 2018 and 2019.
“I told my agent before I was a free agent, I would love to come back,” Nunez said. “The time I was here last year was amazing. There was a lot of energy and I love to win. I think that’s the best thing, my first choice by far.
“The situation was about my knee, they wanted to make sure I’m healthy. I think I proved it this week and now I’m back.”
A left knee injury ended Nunez’ strong 2017 season after just one at-bat in the postseason. Health risks surely lessened the 30-year-old’s value, and the deal could be a bargain for the Red Sox in a slow free agent market.
“At times, he will feel it,” president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said of Nunez’ knee. “That is now his knee. He will feel it. But we also know that doesn’t mean there’s anything of major consequence wrong with it.
“We’re thrilled to have him signed. He did a great job for us last year. It’s been a long process basically because we’ve been concerned about his knee. His injury from last year. So it was a very thorough, staying in contact with him all winter time.”
Dombrowski said the Red Sox made Nunez complete a physical and an allday workout in which he had to field, throw, hit and show that he could steal bases.
“They almost killed me,” Nunez said.
Said Dombrowski, “We feel comfortable that he’s 100 percent ready to go and we’re absolutely thrilled that he’s with us because he’s a good player.”
With an average annual value of just $4 million, Nunez’ contract won’t cause much of a dent in the Red Sox’ salary for luxurytax purposes. They’re currently at about $210 million, well over the $197 luxurytax threshold, and still with at least $20 million to spend (J.D. Martinez remains available) if they intend to stay under the high mark of $237 million. At that point, they’d lose 10 spots on their first draft choice and international bonus money.
“We haven’t had many free agent conversations over the last little time period,” Dombrowski said. “We will always strive to make our club better. But if we went into the season with the club we have now, and it was healthy, I would feel very good about that.”
Prior to his injury, Nunez looked mighty comfortable with the Sox. He hit .321 with an .892 OPS, smacking 12 doubles and eight homers in 38 games after being acquired from the Giants.
The Red Sox jumped to life on offense with the Nunez acquisition. They scored 4.65 runs per game before his acquisition on July 28, then scored 5.19 runs per game the rest of the way. The emergence of rookie Rafael Devers also made an impact in their late-season surge.
Nunez likely will handle second base duties while Dustin Pedroia remains sidelined as he recovers from major surgery on his left knee. Pedroia is expected back sometime in May, though manager Alex Cora said the Red Sox will be careful with the 34-yearold’s workload in attempt to keep him healthy all season.
Nunez is “in the mix” at second, Cora said.
“And we’ll see how the roster shapes up but he’s a guy who’s going to get at-bats,” the manager said. “He’s capable of being a good second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, he can play the outfield. He’s going to give me some options which is great especially early in the season when we start off with playing in Tropicana Field then going to the National League, he’s a guy who’s going to help us early in the season, but he’s going to impact this team in a positive way.”
Nunez actually has played mostly third base and shortstop in his career, as well as 42 games in left field and eight games in right field.
Since the Sox don’t have a true fourth outfielder expected to make the team, Nunez could provide that depth as well.
The move makes things complicated for the extra bench spots out of spring training. Blake Swihart is out of minor league options, Brock Holt has options but is making $2.25 million this year and Marco Hernandez has options but the Sox feel strongly about his bat.
Deven Marrero is also trying to make the team after a strong showing against lefties last year when he put up a .944 OPS in 61 plate appearances.