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Red Sox: Three positions that may need a reset for 2018

By Rick McNair

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 09: Rain drops are seen on the Boston Red Sox dugout before game four of the American League Division Series between the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on October 9, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 09: Rain drops are seen on the Boston Red Sox dugout before game four of the American League Division Series between the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on October 9, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 30: Second baseman Brock Holt (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 30: Second baseman Brock Holt (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

UTILITY INFIELDER

Brock Holt is now an injury-plagued baseball Leatherman tool whose offensive skills have nosedived. The former All-Star hit just .200 for the Red Sox in 64 games. The left-handed hitting Holt is also eligible for arbitration and his nearly $2 Million salary could get a slight bump despite a 0.9 fWAR.

Is Tzu-Wei Lin ready? The left-handed hitting Lin has little power, but maybe that is developing after seven home runs in 300 at-bats between Portland and Pawtucket.  Lin made an impressive 25 game appearance with the Red Sox and hit .268 and that is in line with a .267 with the PawSox.

Lin – like Holt – can play anywhere and with the Red Sox was stationed at third or short with an impressive 17.6 UZR/150 at short and a 10.7 UZR/150 at third. Spring training will show a bit more, but Lin did have a 0.4 fWAR for Boston.

Deven Marrero has a great glove, strong-arm and a bat that needs PED’s. Marrero did hit .211 for the Red Sox and made the postseason roster primarily to give defensive support for Rafael Devers. In 71 games Marrero hit four home runs and had 27 RBI, so occasionally he will go yard. Marrero checked in with a 0.2 fWAR and I would expect him to be on the roster in 2018.

Injuries killed off the season for right-handed hitting Josh Rutledge.  Rutledge is a traditional infield bench player who can man all four infield positions and did in 2017. Rutledge is also eligible for arbitration, but don’t expect any financial hit. Rutledge had a -0.4 fWAR on 2017.

Marco Hernandez can hit with a career .284 average in 61 games.  In 2017 a shoulder injury put an end to his season, but expect a return for 2018.  Where the issue of a giant question mark exists with Hernandez is hitting versus defense. The fielding sample is small, but Hernandez is no candidate for a Gold Glove. 0.0 fWAR.

The obvious super sub would be Eduardo Nunez, but the energetic 30-year-old right-handed hitter may be looking for a big free agent deal.  If the Red Sox were opening the coffers for a multi positioned talent it would be Nunez who slashed .321/.353/.892 in 38 games for Boston.

Nunez could be in Boston if Dave Dombrowski has the trade winds blowing and some deals materialize that open full-time duty for Nunez. Nunez – who has outfield experience – brings speed and some respectable pop with his bat. Nunez had a 2.2 fWAR for 2017, but his knee injury is still a potential roadblock.

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