Infield
Get the easy stuff out of the way first. Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers will play 130+ games if healthy and for Devers that may be a bit of a challenge. Devers’ average and power numbers (.240/21 HR) may have disappointed, but the 22-year-old seems to flourish in the spotlight of the playoffs. Maybe get a nice bounce on his 90 wRC+ in 2019? Devers’ 24 errors and -5.2 UZR/150 are of concern.
Bogaerts did it all in 2018 and may just be starting to move up to the next level with power production. In the shortstop rich AL, the former Silver Slugger (twice) winner slammed 23 home runs and busted out with 103 RBI. Can he do more? Bogaerts also was third among AL shortstops with an impressive 4.9 fWAR.
The last easy stuff depends on contracts and that means Word Series MVP, Steve Pearce. Will the Red Sox re-sign Pearce to compliment the left-hand hitting Mitch Moreland? The right-handed hitting Pearce tormented the Yankees during the season and the Dodgers in the postseason. Both Pearce and Moreland have that innate ability to get big – usually very big – hits at the most opportune of time.
Ian Kinsler will be a free agent and may still be a free agent deep into spring training. The Red Sox’ big question mark regarding the infield is Dustin Pedroia with injury and age (35) placing this .300 lifetime hitters career in jeopardy. If Pedroia makes a full recovery second base is a lockdown, but that may be wishful dreaming.
The Red Sox have Eduardo Nunez who I will suspect will exercise his player option ($5 MM) and be back for third, second, or short. Holt is always available for every infield position and Lin is waiting for his opportunity. But if Pedroia is a no go the Red Sox may have to hope that Kinsler is still on the board.
Prediction: Sox sign Pearce