Red Sox Rumors: Dombrowski not seeking out second baseman

By Brendan Mizgala | Dec 12, 2018

BOSTON, MA - MAY 29: Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on May 29, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

It took a few days but the Red Sox are starting to make their moves at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. One thing they aren’t searching for though is a new second baseman.

Longtime Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia spent the entirety of the 2018 season watching from the dugout. Except for a trio of games early in the season, the for MVP winner was a non-factor during the World Series campaign.

Well, let me rephrase that, he once again reprised his role as the heart of the team as he cheered and coached from the bench while his teammates marched towards a World Series win. It must’ve killed Pedroia to not be able to be out there with his brothers each day. That’s a reputation Pedroia has earned and should be proud of.

His entire career he’s been known as the guy that was the first one there and the last one to leave. The one who would end each game with dirt and grass stains all over his uniform. So to have to suit up every day with the certainty he wouldn’t play had to break his heart. But a year of healing and recuperating could mean the return of Dustin in 2019.

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This leads me back to the reason why we’re here. It came out today from the Winter Meetings that the Sox aren’t interested in a second baseman. This tells me two things, either Pedroia will be healthy for 2019 or they have a backup plan already on the roster. If I had to guess, it’s going to be a little bit of both. I could see Dustin splitting shift with utility man Brock Holt.

Holt played second often and has shown the ability to be able to go to any position he’s needed when called upon. But with Ian Kinsler going the way of free agency it looks like Holt may get that call more often in the upcoming season. I don’t believe it’ll be an even 50/50 split between the two but it could be close depending on the health of Pedroia’s knee.

This is the only solution I can think of that would make the most sense. Looking at the farm system the Red Sox don’t have a second base prospect until #25 on their Prospect Watch list per MLB.com. Though they do carry 11 infield prospects that I’m sure could always be moved to second, Brett Netzer is the only actual second baseman on the list.

So with no real option seemingly ready to jump into the big show, it looks like we may be getting that Holt/Pedroia rotation. The best case scenario is that Pedroia’s knee has responded well to the year off and is at full strength and he’s able to be close to his old self. Having that veteran presence on the field day in and day out would be a huge asset to the Red Sox.

Next. Chris Sale remaining secretive on status of left shoulder. dark

So with the Winter Meetings soon coming to a close, it appears the Red Sox have finally jumped into the deep end. With many thinking, we would be gunning for a second baseman to replace Kinsler it speaks volumes that Dombrowski has no desire to do so. Soon enough April will be here and we’ll get a glimpse into the status of Dustin Pedroia and what role Brock Holt may play. I think I can speak for damn near every member of Red Sox Nation that I will be glued to my TV for Spring Training.

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