Red Sox hint at free agency plans for filling center field void
The Boston Red Sox plan to address center field in free agency.
Filling the void in center field is among the top items on the agenda for the Boston Red Sox and the solution is likely to be found in free agency due to a lack of viable internal options.
Speaking remotely during the GM meetings, Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom hinted at his strategy for addressing the center field position. It’s clear that retaining a strong defensive alignment in the outfield is a priority, which has him leaning toward finding a traditional center fielder rather than rearranging the pieces on the existing roster, per The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey.
“I think we have guys on this club who are capable of playing center field, but I would certainly like to be in as strong a defensive position as you can,” Bloom said. “We know we play in a ballpark where you basically have two center fields here at Fenway Park, so you want to be mindful of that. We can’t be too rigid and miss good opportunities, but we certainly would like to have as strong a defensive outfield as possible, and a lot of that obviously is contingent on having multiple guys who can play center field.”
Andrew Benintendi and Alex Verdugo both have some experience in center field but neither is viewed as the answer for that role entering next season.
Benintendi spent the majority of this year on the injured list and regressed significantly at the plate during his limited time in the lineup. He faces a steep enough challenge in finding his swing without worrying about adapting to a more demanding defensive position.
The quirky dimensions of Fenway Park make its spacious right field more difficult to patrol than most. Verdugo proved himself more than capable of handling the position so the Red Sox would prefer to keep him locked into that spot. This is what Bloom alluded to when he said they need two center fielders. Verdugo is only half of the puzzle, they still need someone else.
The Red Sox don’t have another fit for the position on their current roster so where will they go to find a center fielder?
Red Sox center field prospect candidates
Outfield prospect Jarren Duran was impressive at the alternate site in Pawtucket this year but Bloom doesn’t appear to believe he’s ready for the big leagues. He pointed out that Duran’s 2019 performance when he reached Double-A wasn’t “particularly distinguished.” Duran hit .250 with a .634 OPS, 1 home run and 28 steals in 82 games at that level last year.
He’s a dangerous threat on the base paths and his blazing speed will be an asset in the outfield as well. Duran’s power began to emerge during his time at Pawtucket this year and it’s clear he’s making strides in that department.
Bloom warned that we shouldn’t put too much weight on the outcome of simulated games. Duran’s improvement is promising but hardly proof he’s ready for the major leagues. The Red Sox need to see him in real game action to determine where he’s at in his development.
Expect to see Duran start next season in Double-A, assuming there is a minor league season in 2021. A quick start should lead to an early promotion to Triple-A and he could be knocking on the door to the big leagues by the end of the season. That’s a best-case scenario and one that certainly takes him out of consideration for the majority of next year. A more realistic timeline might have the 24-year-old making his debut in Boston in the middle of the 2022 season.
That leaves the Red Sox in need of someone to hold the fort in the meantime. Marcus Wilson is the only true center fielder on the 40-man roster but he’s never played above Double-A and isn’t any closer to the majors than Duran.
Without a viable candidate on the roster to start in center field on Opening Day, the Red Sox will need to go hunting in free agency for a solution.
Red Sox free-agent center field targets
Marcell Ozuna has been on the wish list for many Red Sox fans but he isn’t a fit if Bloom is hesitant to slide either of his corner outfielders over to center. The same can be said for Michael Brantley if they were inclined to chase a cheaper target. Both provide appealing production with their bats but they are trending toward being full-time designated hitters, a role J.D. Martinez occupies in Boston. The shallow territory in Fenway’s left field allows defensively challenged outfielders to passably fill the position but there’s no clear opening at the position if the Red Sox aren’t willing to move Benny to center.
George Springer is the top center field option on the free-agent market. While the New England native has been a rumored target, the Red Sox might not be willing to commit a significant salary for 5+ years to a 32-year-old when they have Duran waiting in the wings. Springer would also cost the Red Sox their second-round draft pick since he declined a qualifying offer from the Houston Astros. Losing a pick early in the second round while simultaneously blocking the path of one of their top prospects is a shortsighted strategy.
That could lead the Red Sox to a reunion with Jackie Bradley Jr. The team made no effort to lock him up with an extension and didn’t extend a qualifying offer but they still have Bradley Jr. on their radar.
MLB Trade Rumors predicts Bradley Jr. to receive a 2-year, $16 million deal in free agency. The reasonable salary fits easily into Boston’s budget while allowing them to allocate most of their available resources to upgrading the pitching staff.
Just because he’s not ready yet, doesn’t mean the Red Sox don’t view Duran as their center fielder of the future. A two-year deal for JBJ aligns well with Duran’s timeline so they won’t need to rush the outfield prospect. If Duran proves he’s ready before then, Bradley’s contract is cheap enough that he wouldn’t be a burden as a fourth outfielder and he could easily be traded.
Multiple teams have shown interest in Bradley Jr. and the competition could prevent the Red Sox from re-signing him. If they miss out on him, free agency is thin on viable alternatives. Boston would presumably target other low-cost veterans with short commitments. Bringing back Kevin Pillar makes sense considering he fit in well before a deadline deal shipping him to Colorado.
The Red Sox could also explore the trade market, although it’s currently unclear if any center fielders are readily available who would be an upgrade over what they can find in free agency. Boston’s weak farm system doesn’t have many assets to sell and the organization is focused on rebuilding rather than depleting their collection of prospects.
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There are many directions for the Red Sox to consider for filling the center field position but one thing is clear. The starting center fielder for this team entering next season isn’t currently on the roster.