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Red Sox options at second base aren’t limited to Dustin Pedroia in 2019

By Rick McNair

BOSTON, MA - JULY 12: Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox looks on from the dugout before the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on July 12, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JULY 12: Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox looks on from the dugout before the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on July 12, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 30: Eduardo Nunez #36 of the Boston Red Sox grounds out in the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 30: Eduardo Nunez #36 of the Boston Red Sox grounds out in the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Eduardo Nunez

Eduardo Nunez has now hit the next level in his contract for 2019 and will be compensated at $5 MM unless he chooses to opt-out. Last season there was no real market despite Nunez fine season and expect a similar repeat as Nunez will take the money and stay entrenched in Boston for another season.

The downside for Nunez at second base is easily displayed when he drops his bat and grabs his glove to trot out to second. Nunez does lead the American League second basemen in one dubious category – DRS, but the leadership is a -14. The accompanying -5.7 UZR/150 further solidifies Nunez’s limited ability at second.

What Nunez does offer is some decent hitting, good speed on the bases, and a bit of pop in his bat.  The downside with a Nunez plate appearance is a career 4.6 BB% and this season just a 3.0 BB%. Nunez strike zone is apparently somewhere between both on deck circles.

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