Boston Red Sox: Five outfield options to consider if Mookie Betts is traded
With the Red Sox reportedly close to trading Mookie Betts, we look at five potential replacements for him in the outfield.
The Red Sox currently have a deal for superstar outfielder Mookie Betts, with the Los Angeles Dodgers receiving Betts and David Price, Boston receiving Alex Verdugo and Brusdar Graterol and the Minnesota Twins receiving Kenta Maeda.
However, that deal is currently being held up because of issues surrounding the medical records of Graterol. In addition, reports have surfaced about Verdugo’s alleged involvement in a sexual assault case in 2015. As a result, the deal could be canceled or completely restructured from its current form.
If the Red Sox are unable to get an outfielder in the return package for Betts, they will undoubtedly be in search of a replacement for him. With a shallow outfield free-agent market quickly drying up, there remain very few viable options still available for the Red Sox.
If Boston is not interested or is unable to land one of the few remaining free-agent options, they could look internally for a replacement to Betts. While it will be nearly impossible to fill the offensive void that would be created by trading away a player of the caliber of Betts, the Red Sox will do their best to mitigate the lost production.
With their options dwindling, here are five potential replacements that the Boston Red Sox could opt to turn to in order to fill the vacancy in the outfield left by trading away Mookie Betts:
Yasiel Puig
Yasiel Puig is an enigma, plain and simple. He possesses incredible raw talent and athleticism that rivals anyone in the game. However, his lack of effort and inconsistency can be absolutely maddening. Puig has been benched previously for his lack of hustle, his former teammates have openly commented about how his lack of effort grated on them and he went on record as stating that he never actually worked hard while he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
His cannon of an arm, combined with an incredible blend of speed, power, and sheer athleticism makes Puig a tantalizing option for any team who believes that they can get him to improve upon his effort. There is no doubt that he possesses the skill set to make him one of the most elite players in the game if he chooses to work hard.
Puig began last season with the Cincinnati Reds before being traded to the Cleveland Indians as part of the deal that brought ace pitcher Trevor Bauer to the Reds. Puig would combine to make 555 plate appearances, batting .267, with 24 home runs, 84 runs batted in, 19 stolen bases, 76 runs scored and multiple on-field brawls in 2019.
A career .277 hitter, Puig has averaged 22 home runs, 69 runs batted in, 13 stolen bases and 74 runs scored over six seasons with the Dodgers, Reds, and Indians. He currently represents the best available free-agent outfielder for the Red Sox.
If Boston signs Puig and allows him to tutor under current players like J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts, as well as former Red Sox star David Ortiz, it is possible he finally lives up to his full abilities, which is an enticing thought for the Red Sox.
Kevin Pillar
It is difficult to imagine a better defensive outfield than that of Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Mookie Betts. It will be difficult for the Red Sox to match the defensive prowess of Betts if they decide to trade him away. However, should they decide to sign Kevin Pillar to fill the vacancy left in the outfield, it is conceivable that the outfield defense would actually get better.
Known as one the of best defensive outfielders in all of Major League Baseball, Pillar can be found routinely on highlight reels with his incredible diving catches. Much like Bradley Jr., Pillar has a knack for making the most difficult catches look routine.
While Pillar, or “Superman” as he was nicknamed while in Toronto, has never won a Gold Glove award, it is less of an indictment on his defense and more of a credit to Bradley Jr., Kevin Kiermaier and Byron Buxton, whom Pillar competed with for the award during his time in the American League.
While Pillar has been known primarily for his defensive skills and not so much for offensive production, he thrived after being traded from the Toronto Blue Jays to the San Francisco Giants five games into last season. Pillar would have a career-high in home runs (21), runs batted in (88) and runs scored (83) while batting .259, with 14 stolen bases. As a result of his strong performance in 2019, he would receive a vote for National League MVP.
Having played in the American League East division for six seasons, Pillar is very familiar with the division. Even if he cannot replicate his career-best numbers from last season, Pillar would represent an excellent defensive replacement for Betts and is serviceable at the plate.
Michael Chavis
A burgeoning third base prospect, Michael Chavis burst on the scenes for the Red Sox last season when the team was in dire need of help at second base, due to being plagued by a rash of injuries. Despite little experience at second, Chavis would perform admirably on defense at the position, while providing Boston with a much-needed spark on offense.
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After signing free agent Jose Peraza to a contract earlier in the offseason, Boston appears to have their every day second baseman, leaving Chavis as a man without a position. While it remains plausible that the Red Sox opt to keep Chavis at second and make Peraza a super-utility player in the same fashion that they utilized Brock Holt in the past, Peraza is better equipped to handle the second base role on a regularly.
However, after batting .254 with 18 home runs, 58 runs batted in, 46 runs scored and two stolen bases in just 347 at-bats, the Red Sox are likely going to want to find a permanent role for the man affectionately known as the “Ice Horse”, as he offers offensive production that would otherwise be wasted.
While Chavis has yet to play in the outfield, his ability to handle first base, second base and third base duties throughout the season last year, would suggest that he is fully capable of handling the duties of a regular corner outfield position in Boston. This idea would be particularly ideal for an ownership group that has made it abundantly clear that they are averse to adding payroll.
Domingo Santana
Domingo Santana represents another intriguing free agent option for the Red Sox to consider as a potential replacement to Mookie Betts in the event he is traded. Santana put himself on the radar in 2017 when he hit 30 home runs while driving in 84 runs, both career bests, with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Somewhat inexplicably, he would not receive much playing time the following year, appearing in just 85 games with the Brewers. He would be dealt to the Seattle Mariners before the start of the 2019 season.
Santana came out of the gates like a ball of fire for the Mariners last season. He would tally 18 home runs and 63 runs batted in before the All-Star break, batting .286. However, he looked completely lost in the second half of the season, hitting only three home runs with an abysmal six runs batted in and a .128 batting average in 94 at-bats.
Despite his inconsistency, the 27-year-old Santana has shown a significant upside at times. With the ability to hit for power and steal bases, the Red Sox could do worse than Santana. Given how few options remain on the open market, Santana could represent a player the Red Sox could sign and platoon with a left-handed bat to mitigate some of the holes in his game. He represents a fairly affordable option that is available for Boston.
J.D. Martinez
Perhaps the best option to replace Betts in right field is the man who played 24 games there last season for the Red Sox. J.D. Martinez is certainly familiar with Fenway Park’s spacious right field area. While he is a significant downgrade defensively from what Betts brings to the Red Sox, he is capable of manning right field for Boston.
The concern with the Red Sox making Martinez their everyday right fielder is the toll that it could potentially take on his body. Last season, Martinez struggled with a back injury that was attributed to his time in the field. Removing a bat of his caliber from the lineup, especially if it is a lineup already devoid of Betts, would be a crushing blow to Boston.
However, the Red Sox could mitigate some of the wear-and-tear on the 32-year-old Martinez’s body by using him as sparingly as possible. Perhaps using him in a platoon situation where he oscillates between the outfield and designated hitter would be an option to accomplish this.
Putting Martinez in the outfield would allow the Red Sox to rest regular starters by placing them in the designated hitter role. Also, it allows the team greater roster flexibility and would be beneficial if the team wants to bring up young players such as Bobby Dalbec or C.J. Chatham, as they could get experience in the field as veterans move to the designated hitter role or vice versa.
Whether this deal goes through as currently constructed and the Red Sox get Alex Verdugo or if it is completely restructured with different players, the Red Sox will need to make some difficult decisions regarding the roster construction and the status of their outfield.
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The longer that this situation drags on, the less viable options will remain at the disposal of the Red Sox. Hopefully, they are able to come to a resolution fairly soon so that they can determine the final construction of their team prior to the start of spring training.