Fielding falls into alignment
With Story in fold, Bogaerts to stay at SS, Hernandez in CF
FORT MYERS — Since spring training opened up, the biggest storyline at JetBlue Park has been around Xander Bogaerts, who can opt out of his team-friendly contract after 2022.
Would he sign an extension? Would he stay at shortstop? What if the Sox signed Carlos Correa or Trevor Story, two of the better defensive shortstops in the game?
Sunday, it was reported that the Red Sox had agreed to sign Story to a six-year, $140-million contract.
What does that mean for Bogaerts?
After the Sox’ 3-2 win over the Orioles, manager Alex Cora said he couldn’t yet comment on the Story signing, but that Bogaerts would be his shortstop no matter who is signed.
Bogaerts said he was happy to hear that Story was joining the team, but he didn’t want to comment much more on it yet. He’s been answering questions about a possible position change all spring.
“I think the more you worry about stuff, it just drags on you,” said. “You’re letting yourself get dragged on, so I try not to think about that stuff. I play baseball. I’m not in the front office or making those types of decisions. But Story is a great player. So that’s all I’ve got to say.”
Since he entered the big leagues in 2013, Bogaerts’ .978 fielding percentage is near the top. Story is at .979, Andrelton Simmons is at .980, Jose Iglesias is at .981 and, a few spots up, Freddy Galvis leads all big leaguers with a .983 mark.
Advanced metrics look different. Story ranks third with 69 defensive runs saved in that time. Bogaerts ranks 20th with negative47 defensive runs saved.
Defense upgraded
Around the clubhouse, Red Sox players were thrilled to hear the news.
“It’s exciting watching him play and to have him playing behind you, especially for me while I’m pitching and scoring runs for us,” said Opening Day starter Nathan Eovaldi. “Our lineup is already extremely talented and then to add another piece like that is only going to make us better.”
With Bogaerts and Story up the middle, the Sox should have the best defensive infield they’ve had since Dustin Pedroia was playing second base.
“You’re going to be pitching to contact even more,” Eovaldi said. “You saw everything Kiké (Hernandez) was able to do last year in center field. You also have Jackie (Bradley Jr.) out there too. We know how talented they are out there. And then you’re going to have Bogey and Trevor up the middle. Our team immediately gets a lot better.”
Fitting in
Newly acquired righthander Michael Wacha said he had worked out with Story in Fort Worth, Texas, during the offseason a few years ago.
“I got to witness firsthand how explosive and how athletic he is in the gym,” Wacha said of the 6-foot-2, 213-pound shortstop. “He’s jumping out of the gym and just making everything look really easy. I can see how that translates over the field and how successful he is… He was very quiet, down-to-earth, chill, but got after it every day.”
Eovaldi noted the importance of signing Story now and giving him more than two weeks to assimilate into the clubhouse.
“There will be plenty of time for us to get together and have that bonding with him,” Eovaldi said. “He’s going to fit in perfectly. I remember when I first got traded over here, it was like that for me. The other guys welcomed me in and the Red Sox are a very familyoriented organization and I think that helps out a lot.”
Kiké gets a fulltime position
With Story likely at second base, that should mean Hernandez will become the everyday center fielder.
“I’ve always looked forward to playing just one position, settling down at one position,” Hernandez said. “I’ve never been able to play just one spot… That allows me to settle down in center and hopefully I can do what I did last year and hopefully I can do it even better.”
Hernandez once transitioned from shortstop to second base and said he doesn’t anticipate it being too difficult.
“It might be a little different at first but I’ve always said, if you can play shortstop, you can play anywhere,” he said. “I’ve seen him play. He’s athletic. He’s gifted on that side. I don’t doubt one bit he’ll be able to transition smoothly to second base.”
Asked if it’d be hard for someone’s ego to move off shortstop, Hernandez pointed to the TV screen, where hosts on MLB Network were discussing the signing, and said, “There’s three numbers up there on the TV: 140 (million dollars). I think that puts the ego aside and allows you to play wherever they want you to play.”
Outfield alignment
If Hernandez is in center, Alex Verdugo will likely be in left field and the Sox can mess around in right field, where they can use some variation of Bradley, Jarren Duran and perhaps a righthanded hitting outfielder they’ve yet to acquire.
It also appears they’ll experiment with Bobby Dalbec and Christian Arroyo in the outfield.
“I welcome anything, I’m just blessed to have this opportunity to play this game I love to play,” Arroyo said. “Moving around or whatever it is, I’m excited.”