Red Sox: Five questions we need answers for during 2021 spring training
By Sean Penney
What is the Red Sox outfield alignment?
Boston’s outfield has undergone a drastic overhaul. The Killer B’s that seemed destined to grow together as one of the best outfield trios in franchise history have each left town. While there’s still some talent patrolling the outfield at Fenway, there are some questions about how they fit together.
The departure of free agent Jackie Bradley Jr. has left a gaping hole in center field and it’s a bit puzzling that the Red Sox didn’t do more to address the position. Alex Verdugo is the team’s best option by default, although it’s a shame that they are forced to move him there after he admirably handled Fenway’s notoriously challenging right field dimensions last season.
Verdugo should be a capable center fielder but he’s nowhere near Bradley Jr.’s level. Boston was expected to downgrade defensively by letting the former Gold Glove winner get away but now they are also downgrading in right field by moving Verdugo.
New additions Hunter Renfroe and Franchy Cordero are expected to start in the corner outfield spots but which of them is tasked with handling the spacious right field and who needs to learn how to play the ball off the Green Monster in left remains to be seen. They both have experience at all three outfield spots but based on where they have appeared most, it will probably be Renfroe in right with Cordero in left.
The wide platoon splits of the right-handed Renfroe and lefty Cordero suggest they should be sharing a position rather than plugging both into the same lineup. Unfortunately, Boston’s lack of outfield depth doesn’t give them that luxury.
Kike Hernandez could see some time in the outfield to make that platoon possible but the Red Sox are counting on him primarily at second base. They would need Christian Arroyo, Michael Chavis or Jonathan Arauz to step up as a viable everyday starter in order for that to work. Seeing how those players have progressed and if they see time at second base will be something to watch this spring since it could have a domino effect that alters the outfield alignment.
The free-agent signing of Marwin Gonzalez isn’t official yet but he could be a wild card once he enters the mix. Gonzalez can be used almost anywhere on the field. While he’s likely to bounce around to several different positions, his presence in the lineup would potentially alter the outfield alignment regardless of which spot he’s playing that day.