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Red Sox Predictions: Fixing top five roster weaknesses

By Tim Starr

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his seventh inning home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his seventh inning home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 23: Mitch Moreland #18 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated after scoring a run in the third inning during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on September 23, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

First Base/Designated Hitter

There’s no word as of yet if JD Martinez will opt-out, but the Red Sox are for sure losing Mitch Moreland and Steve Pearce. Martinez will likely opt-out in search for a larger contract. Either way, the Red Sox have to fill a gap, possibly two in the lineup.

As mentioned earlier in the article, signing Corey Dickerson to play a critical role off the bench is a very strong possibility. However, if Martinez were to elect free agency, then Dickerson’s role could become greater and be a mainstay in the lineup as the DH.

The Red Sox have to replace Moreland either internally with the farm system or externally with free agents. Bobby Dalbec would be the logical internal choice (unless Michael Chavis plays first base in 2020) and is cheap.

Externally, there are plenty of first baseman, such as Jose Abreu or Edwin Encarnacion. Abreu has been rumored to be traded to the Red Sox since the beginning of 2017, but never got traded. He led the AL in RBI’s in 2019 and put together a solid season. Now a free agent, the Red Sox have the ball in their court to sign him, but at this moment they can’t afford to have him on their team. The Red Sox and Abreu just never seemed to line up.

Encarnacion is a very intriguing option for the Red Sox. Encarnacion smacked 30+ home runs for the eighth straight year and was right in the heart of the order for the Yankees. The Red Sox wouldn’t want to pay too much for their first baseman, but if Martinez were to opt-out, then Encarnacion, Dalbec, and another bench player could rotate between first base and DH for the 2020 season.

Moreland has been good, not great in his time with Boston, but has by no means been bad. Moreland could come back on another team-friendly contract, but he is also probably too expensive for Boston. Moreland also wasn’t healthy in 2019, something the Red Sox would need him to be if they were to re-sign him.

Overall, a lot of what the Red Sox do at first base and DH comes down to what Martinez decides to do in the following few days. Martinez opting out can give the Red Sox financial flexibility to go out and spend more.

Prediction (if Martinez opts out): Red Sox call up Dalbec, sign Encarnacion  to a 2-year, $25 million dollar contract

(If Martinez stays): Red Sox call up Dalbec, don’t sign anyone

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