Boston Red Sox fan favorite Brock Holt is officially a free agent, and with teams beginning to call, where exactly will he play next season?
Thanksgiving is just days away and the Red Sox have been extremely quiet as far as this offseason has been concerned. We all knew that it wasn’t going to be a barnburner of a winter but I know I expected at least something to have happened by now. One of the bigger concerns facing Boston as they prep for 2020 is the future of utility man Brock Holt.
Holt has been a key member of this team not only on the field but in the clubhouse as well. Now that he’s a free agent, it’s unclear where his abilities will take him next. He’s expressed a great desire to stay in Boston as not only he but also his wife have become cherished members of the community.
Brock was recently a guest on Barstool Sports’ Section 10 Podcast, where he spoke about a wide variety of topics surrounding his time with the Red Sox. When the conversation made its way to his current status as a free agent, Holt was honest and candid about his feelings.
"“Teams are reaching out, nothing serious, it’s kind of a slow-moving process,” – Brock said."
That’s not much of a surprise at all considering the trend that the free agency window has been on the last few seasons. It feels as if it’s taking teams and players longer each winter to come to terms with their agreements. He also mentioned that he had been in contact with the Red Sox ahead of his trip to the market but hasn’t heard from the team since Chaim Bloom took over.
It will be incredibly difficult to replace Holt within the organization. Not only for his playing ability which is consistent and reliable but also for his ability to keep the clubhouse fluid, even in dark times. His smile is infectious and his love for the game is just as contagious.
"“I’m just taking it day-by-day,” Holt said."
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We have plenty of time left on the calendar especially with the way that teams are working nowadays. As a member of Red Sox Nation, I’d love to see the news break that the team has re-signed Brock but I also know that this game is a business. Both the team and player have to do what’s in their own best interests. With the salary crunch going on in Boston it may not be in the cards to bring him back.
Though he missed time this year due to a shoulder injury and a scratched cornea, he still managed to produce strong numbers in the 87 games he did play in. Brock finished with a .297/.369/.402/.771 line while smacking 3 dingers and knocking in 31 RBI. 2019 was his second strong year in a row and he’ll likely continue to draw attention from teams needing help not only at second base but various other positions as well.
Boston has some names on the roster that can take over for Brock if he does take his skills elsewhere but nobody can ever replace what he brings to the organization. Michael Chavis and Marco Hernandez are both top candidates while there’s always the chance that Dustin Pedroia could suit up once again. The path for the Red Sox isn’t exactly clear right now and it’ll be up to Bloom to make it visible.
Brock Holt has been the ideal member of a team that any franchise would want. The Red Sox will be worse-off if he is signed by another team this winter. With his ability to unite not just the team but the community, it’s hard not to see why several teams would be calling. If Boston wants to contend again in 2020, their odds would be far better with Holt in the lineup.