INFIELD
Half a loaf aptly describes the Red Sox infield with the left side of Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts making offensive mayhem in 2019. Defensively both improved especially the left-hand hitting Devers who erased my comparisons to Butch Hobson and Joe Foy. A mea culpa from me.
The other half of the loaf may go stale with the merry-go-round potential at first and second base. Michael Chavis flashed bright and then faded. A question mark for sure.
Jose Peraza has been added from the free agent poaching and sunk in 2019 after shining the previous year. Peraza is young, has some speed, and will not kill you defensively at second. The mix also has Jonathan Arauz who may or may not survive spring training.
The last possible entry into the second base puzzle is our own baseball Sisyphus – Dustin Pedroia – pushing that career rock uphill. Odds are the rock will win. So second will be one of the places of media notoriety this spring, but what about first base?
Returning is Mitch Moreland when the Red Sox became beneficiaries of a favorable market. Moreland is a dependable pro who when in reasonable health can provide excellent defense and respectable power.
At 34-years-old Moreland could be assisted by youth. Either Chavis or rookie Bobby Dalbec who hits with power and like Chavis can swing and miss with the best of them. Maybe the Red Sox will get Holt back?
The fresh half loaf is a solid A and that second loaf is a D. The right side of the infield is shaky and that is giving some serious doubt with too many good things needing to fall into place. The eye this spring for me will be Peraza.
The resolution at second base will be the primary focus. Will Dalbec make the team? I’ll be watching Peraza who could be a steal.
GRADE: C