Red Sox Free Agent/Trade Options to Replace Dustin Pedroia

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia will miss the beginning of next season after undergoing left knee surgery. These external candidates can replace him.

The Boston Red Sox announced last week that veteran second baseman Dustin Pedroia will miss the beginning of the season after undergoing a successful left knee surgery.

At age 34, his recovery could come with problems as well that could extend his injury stint. Injuries have plagued him the past few years as well, so there is no real guarantee that he’ll ever be a productive player again even after an eventual recovery. Adding into account the questions about his leadership role, who knows how much longer his tenure could be with the Red Sox.

Taking these things into account, signing or trading for a second baseman (especially if Eduardo Nunez doesn’t re-sign) should become a priority for Dave Dombrowski and the Red Sox front office. Fortunately, there are some decent options available that should all be explored, including one idea for a blockbuster that could put the league on notice and solidify the club as a serious World Series contender.

With the development of Pedroia’s injuries as well as the uncertainty in the future of the position in the organization, the Red Sox should seriously look at Nunez coming back. We all know that it isn’t just a one-way street, however – Nunez has to want to come back.

There could be some sort of a platoon with players like Tzu-Wei Lin, Brock Holt, and Deven Marrero, but the uncertainty of performance in such a situation heading into a season would most definitely not be advisable.

So without further ado, here are my five early options for replacing Pedroia if Nunez does not re-sign.