Red Sox Bold Predictions: Projecting the 2020 lineup
By Rick McNair
Will the Boston Red Sox offseason be one of tumultuous changes with high-end free-agent signings and blockbuster trades? I see little change in the core structure of the offense.
The Red Sox lineup will change for 2020, but they will produce since they invariably always have. The big questions will be possible player movement in the offseason regarding Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr. as they enter their walk year. Will the Red Sox let the string run out on Betts? I will also leap at assumption in that Bradley is finally traded.
The reality of the Red Sox offense is that it is very good to excellent with an ability to easily outscore an opponent. The downside is obvious and that is the outscored portion was given a Herculean task based on the pitching staff.
The Red Sox need to bolster pitching and that means bullpen and rotation, but with $153 Million on the books for 2020 without arbitration, that task will be a difficult target for a new general manager. I expect the decisions will be made based on dollar signs with the attempt to accumulate savings with a little here followed by a little there.
So I will start my flight of fancy and into the realm of prognostication on the possible 2020 lineup. Join in and discuss possible changes via trades, free agents, and prospects.