Red Sox taking offers on Xander Bogaerts: Then what?

Assuming the Red Sox trade Xander Bogaerts just who do they have play shortstop? Here are a few possibilities that do not have me elated.

The reports are the Red Sox are taking offers on several players – Rick Porcello, Xander Bogaerts, and Jackie Bradley have been mentioned and pending free agency after 2019 with Porcello and Bogaerts is certainly a consideration.  That said teams do take offers on players during the winter meetings and at all other times. There is no harm in attempting to estimate trade value. I have lingering doubts regarding any Bogaerts’ trades.

The player I will focus on is Bogaerts, he’s coming off an excellent season, playing a critical position (shortstop), and just 26-years-old. Bogaerts slammed 23 home runs in 2018, plated 103 RBI, and hit .288 while playing a defensively adequate short.  Bogaerts – represented by notorious uber-agent Scott Boras – will be a prized free agent after the coming season and just maybe the Red Sox are faced with a potential money crunch.  A surprise considering their willingness to exceed the luxury tax.

Just who plays short if Bogaerts is packaged off for prospects, bullpen help, or any other viable asset? Internally the Red Sox have two standbys in Brock Holt and Eduardo Nunez who served time at short last season. Neither will be on top of the defensive metrics charts.  As for minor league talent, the most notable is C.J. Chatham who hit .315, but that was at Salem (A+).

The Red Sox have one external option that just came available – 34-year old damaged goods in Troy Tulowitzki who was released by Toronto with a ponderous $38 MM remaining on his contract that is the responsibility of the Jays. A Pablo Sandoval situation from the north.

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If this was a time warp and collectively we were back in 2011 then the Red Sox would join a significant lineup of teams for Tulowitzki, but Tulo has averaged less than 100 games a season the last six years he was on the field. And on the field means don’t look at any Tulowitzki’s stats for 2018 – there isn’t any.  Not a good sign. That said the price point is minimal – an enticing temptation for a team willing to gamble on a talent resurrection.

In 2016 Tulo showed some reasonable life in the field and at bat hitting .254, with 24 home runs, and notching 79 RBI.  In 2017 Tulowitzki played just 66 games and his fielding metrics sunk to -2.3 UZR/150 and Tulo hit .249. Does Tulowitzki give you a warm and fuzzy feeling replacing XB?

Maybe the Red Sox are doing a bob and weave with this situation and are targeting the top of the line and going all in on Manny Machado? I have serious doubts about the Red Sox going in that direction.

The Red Sox can shift through the free agent list diligently looking for a replacement part if Bogaerts is sent elsewhere. Does Tim Beckham sound like a viable option? Me neither. Or Asdrubal Cabrera? Marwin Gonzalez looked great as Mr. Versatility for the Astros and did have service time at short.  But, again, limited defensive ability and a .247 average.

One possibility does exist and it is a former Boston shortstop noted for his excellent fielding ability – Jose Iglesias. Iglesias hit .269 with limited power production (5/48) and that is what Iglesias will give you with a .270 career average and an 80 wRC+. A significant production drop from Bogaerts, but still a superior defender. Can the Red Sox absorb the loss of Bogaerts’ production?

The more I examine the possible trade of Bogaerts the less sense it makes unless I am really missing something. I can understand the long-range view that Bogaerts may be unsignable for the Red Sox with a season in 2019 that matches 2018, but the consequences of such as action come with a far higher risk than reward.

Just how will the cost savings of Bogaerts, Porcello, and Bradley be applied? Will this be a measure to get under the luxury tax? Is it to allocate the dollars elsewhere as a fiscal sidestep? Enquiring minds want to know!