Eduardo Nunez
I’m going with another member of the second base sub by committee squad. Eduardo Nunez proved to be an asset this season in Boston but it also won’t kill the team if he’s sent away. Plus he’ll be a free agent after the 2019 season. So if we can trade him prior to the season then we won’t have to worry about losing him for nothing.
That’s the way I always analyze these trades and free agency. If the team can gain something prior to the player going to free agency, then that’s a positive. This would be one of those scenarios for me. Obviously, there’s always the chance he could re-sign but there’s an equal chance he won’t. No thank you. Holt is not only younger but more dynamic when in the game, he’d be my top choice as the heir apparent to Pedroia.
He’ll be turning 32 during the middle of the season in 2019 so his value is going down with each game. He did post a .265/.289/.388/.677 line at the plate this past season, not bad. In the same argument though he did have a staggering 69-16 strikeout to walk ratio that I would like to be a bit closer. But Nunez has proven his worth in 2018, not only coming up with hits when they were needed but also flashing the leather.
I think Nunez could be moved to possibly get a reliever or two. I’d actually prefer he trade him for some prospects as the Red Sox have destroyed their farm system with some recent deals. So if Dombrowski can either build up the current roster or reload the farm system that has been depleted, I’d be thrilled.