Where Red Sox alumni from 2020 season have surfaced

Red Sox 2020 alumni who have found new homes

The Boston Red Sox had quite a roster influx in 2020. But with inflow comes outflow and just what has happened to some familiar and not-so-familiar names in the early part of the 2020 season?

The disappointment Boston Red Sox fans experienced with the development of Andrew Benintendi can now be adopted by those in Kansas City. Benintendi was sent packing as management simply gave up on the once-promising outfielder. So far in the small sample of games, Benintendi has accomplished little. Just a meager slash of .219/.296/.608. A 75 wRC+ and if improvement stalls, Benintendi could be on the move.

The Red Sox did save a few dollars as Benintendi was being paid $6.6 million and the Bostonians coughed up $2.8 million to the Royals. Boston also received a prospect – a right-hand pitcher – Josh Wieckowski – a project. The Royals also shipped to Boston their own outfield failure – Franchy Cordero whose early showing has been Benintendi-like.

Free-agent Jackie Bradley Jr.captured a two-year deal from the Brewers. Bradley was coming off a productive 60 games in 2020 when he hit a career-high of .287. Bradley, as Red Sox Nation is quite aware, can have prodigious dry spells followed by weeks of carrying the lineup. So far in the early test Bradley has a 67 wRC+ in 18 games.

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Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree were both sent to Philadelphia in 2020. Both were summarily ignored when the season ended. The released Hembree has latched on as a free agent with the Reds and has appeared in just one game. Workman has signed with the Chicago Cubs and has appeared in seven games out of their bullpen and tossing 5.1 innings.

The trade apparently was a plus for the Red Sox as they received a valued prospect in Connor Seabold and Nick Pivetta who has slipped into the rotation. Looking down the road, Seabold may be the big catch in the trade.

A dog of a signing was infielder Jose Peraza – a deal I thought would pay dividends for Boston. The only dividend was Peraza’s $3 million contract for his bank account. Peraza signed a deal with the Mets and was recently called up and then returned to the minors.

Mitch Moreland signed with the Oakland Athletics and is no doubt enjoying their sudden winning ways. In spot duty, Moreland has slammed two home runs and notched eight RBI while hitting .233.

The Red Sox dealt two pitchers to the Tampa Bay Rays – Chris Mazza and Jeffrey Springs. Neither pitcher will appear on any highlight films in the early going. Springs has surrendered seven earned runs in 7.1 innings and Mazza has matched that with 11 earned runs in 11.1 innings.

The big catch in the Mazza – Springs trade may just be that, a big catcher in 230 pound Ronaldo Hernandez. Hernandez is 23-years-old and will be with Portland (AA). Hernandez is the 11th ranked prospect in the Boston system. The second player is another pitching prospect – Nick Sogard.

Tzu-Wei Lin played parts of four seasons with the Red Sox. Impressive with his speed and glove and far less impressive with his bat hitting just .223. Lin signed with the Twins and was recently recalled.

Also with the Twins is pitcher Robinson Leyer who managed a 26.5 K% and a 23.5 BB% in just 4.2 innings. The Twins are hopeful just as Boston, Seattle, Cincinnati and the Chicago White Sox were. That’s 25 teams left.

Hard-throwing Domingo Tapia made his MLB debut with the Red Sox in 2020. Tapia, now 29 years old, didn’t look that bad in five games posting a 2.00 ERA. The former Twin, Red and Red Sox is now with Seattle and on their 40-man roster.

Catcher Deivy Grullon managed one game with Boston. Then came the inevitable release and a signing with the Reds and eventually drifting to the Mets who just released Grullon. At 25 years old, Grullon will find another home.

Righty Mike Kickham has pitched everywhere including a stint with the Kansas City T- Bones. Kickham did nothing with the Red Sox but has bagged a minor league deal with the Dodgers.

Zack Godley once won 15 games for Arizona and once went 0-4 for the Red Sox. Godley has a minor league deal with the Brewers.