Keys to the offense should return
Little turnover expected before start of 2022 season
Don’t expect a lot of turnover with the Red Sox offense ahead of the 2022 season.
Anything can happen between now and March 31, when the Sox host the Rays on Opening Day, but the safe assumption is that most of the offensive players that played important roles this year will be doing so again next spring.
Here’s a position-by-position outlook:
Catcher
Position rank in 2021: 18th in MLB with -0.7 WAR
Kevin Plawecki had the better bat, but Christian Vazquez was the iron man behind the plate, with his 498 plate appearances ranking fourth among MLB catchers.
He said before the season his goal was to focus on handling the pitching staff, and he did just that, helping an unassuming group overperform all year.
His offensive output was certainly concerning, as his .258 average and .659 OPS ranked as his worst since 2018, when he lost playing time to Sandy Leon in the postseason. But the Sox are likely to pick up Vazquez’s $7 million option while banking on his offensive potential and game-managing ability. Plawecki is eligible for salary arbitration and will likely return as the backup.
First base
Position rank in 2021: 25th in MLB with -1.8 WAR
The big question: should the Red Sox re-sign Kyle Schwarber and give him a shot at playing first base? You bet they should.
He made several mistakes at the position when he finally got out there, but most of them weren’t physical errors. They were mental mistakes and errors based on inexperience at the position.
His bat fits perfectly at the top of the order, and if he can hold down first base until 2022, when J.D. Martinez will be a free agent, he can take over as the designated hitter and make room for highly regarded first base prospect Triston Casas. Bobby Dalbec hit the cover off the ball for four weeks from Aug. 10 through Sept. 11, but it’s still hard to bet on him as a key part of the future.
Second base
Position rank in 2021: 12th in MLB with 0.6 WAR
Is Kiké Hernandez the team’s second baseman or center fielder in 2022? He’s under contract for one more season and if he showed anything about his defensive ability this year, it’s that he’s an elite defender, as long he’s getting regular playing time. He struggled at times with sporadic playing time at second base, but was incredible as an everyday center fielder. The Sox think he can be excellent at either position, and he’s proven that before. The question is whether or not the Sox want to give Jarren Duran a chance to play center, or make an addition at center or second this offseason. Christian Arroyo is a wonderful piece to have as a super utility man or a backup, but has a concerning injury history and the Sox might want to see if they can do better.
Third base
Position rank in 2021: 9h in MLB with 1.0 WAR
There was some question as to whether or not Rafael Devers would be the third baseman of the future, but there shouldn’t be. He remains a so-so defender who can make extraordinary plays sometimes but struggles with routine plays often. And yet he’s still the Sox’ best option at the position and one of the game’s best young hitters. There’s no reason to move him right now, not on a team that already has too many DHs and prospective first basemen.
Shortstop
Position rank in 2021: 7th in MLB with 2.7 WAR
Here’s a bet: Xander Bogaerts isn’t moving off shortstop anytime soon. Say what you want about his range, but he made just
nine errors all year. Of the 18 shortstops who played at least 1,000 innings at the position this year, only three guys made fewer errors: Nicky Lopez, Kyle Farmer and Kevin Newman. Bogaerts will probably opt out of his teamfriendly deal after 2022, but it’s hard to see him being moved off shortstop before then.
Left field
Position rank in 2021: 15th in MLB with -0.5 WAR
Alex Verdugo was one of the game’s best right fielders in 2020 but didn’t make much of an impact in left field in 2021. His body broke down and he struggled to hit lefties. It wasn’t his best season, but a season he thinks he learned from. Alex Cora said he has a similar skillset to An
drew Benintendi, but Verdugo might be better suited for Fenway Park if he can continue to drive the ball to the opposite field and find a way to stay healthy.
Center field
Position rank in 2021: 13th in MLB with 0.8 WAR
The Sox were more patient than anyone could’ve asked them to be with Duran, letting him gobble playing time at Triple-A Worcester and play in big games for Team USA during the Summer Olympics. Despite his impressive performances at those levels, Duran was a massive disappointment in 112 plate appearances with the big league club, hitting .215 with two homers and 40 strikeouts. Is there anything else to be gained
from more time in Triple-A? Or does Duran need to learn as an everyday player in the big leagues? That’s the question as the Sox try to figure out where Hernandez will play and which position to try to upgrade this winter.
Right field
Position rank in 2021: 14th in MLB with 0.4 WAR
Hunter Renfroe was one heck of a signing for $3 million, as he hit .259 with 31 homers and 96 RBIs as the team’s everyday right fielder. His cannon of an arm made for some entertaining throws, but he also struggled to make routine plays and often looked awkward catching balls near the wall. He’s still arbitration-eligible for two more seasons, so the Sox are likely to keep him around and see if they can get another 31-96 season from the 30-year-old slugger.
Designated hitter
Position rank in 2021: 5th in MLB with 1.0 WAR
Martinez is 34 years old and entering the final season of his contract. He can opt out this winter if he wants, but it seems unlikely he’ll leave $19.3 million on the table to test free agency right now. He finished with a .286 average, 28 homers, 99 RBIs and an .867 OPS. It’s a very respectable stat line, but remains his worst full offensive season since 2013. And after the awful season he had in 2020, it’s hard to imagine he’ll do better than finishing out his contract in Boston and testing free agency after the 2022 season.