5 shortstop options for Red Sox after unexpected Trevor Story surgery

Oct 22, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (7) catches a fly ball in the sixth inning during game four of the NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

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Joey Wendle #18 of the Miami Marlins (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) /

3. Joey Wendle

The Red Sox have been reportedly in on Wendle throughout the offseason (per Chad Jennings of The Athletic), and now is the best time to strike a deal. Wendle’s not a perfect replacement — he slashed .259/.297/.360 with an 86 OPS+ in 2022 — but part of his appeal is his ability to play multiple positions very well. His glove is good enough to play a full season at SS while moving around the infield as needed.

One issue is his arm strength, though. Baseball Savant rates his arm better than Story’s — 25th percentile compared to 8th percentile — but ideally, he’s better suited for second base (even though he possesses the speed and the glove to play shortstop).

Wendle is under contract through the 2023 season, so regardless of whether the Red Sox would want to keep him past the season, his asking price should be low as a result of his impending free agency. Better yet, the Red Sox may be able to attach him to a starting pitcher in a trade, an option that was explored on the site last week.

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