Predicting the Red Sox starting lineup the day after the 2024 trade deadline
By Rick McNair
Designated hitter, catcher, and utility knife
The last man standing from the infamous Mookie Betts trade is Connor Wong. Wong has an embarrassing 33.3 SO% and can go multiple games without contact, but his power is noteworthy for a hitter who feeds off mistakes. Wong had 25 doubles and nine home runs in 2023, so when contact was made, it was impressive.
Wong will start the season as the number one catcher, but left-hand-hitting Kyle Teel could make his way up to the bigs by August. Teel is polished and was a steal in the first round. If he continues his rapid upward trend, he could get the call-up earlier than many expected.
That leaves Reese McGuire, who's been having a great start offensively, on the outside looking in. Teel is a lefty, as is McGuire, who is firmly entrenched in that journeyman mode. The Red Sox backstop corps was 11th in the American League in defense in 2023, so the Sox should seek to improve the defensive side of their game.
Adam Duvall would have provided lineup flexibility and a solid power bat at designated hitter had the Red Sox been able to pull off a reunion with the outfielder. The Red Sox traditionally had a slugger extraordinaire at that position and passed by several possibilities. That could change by mid-May unless the Red Sox think Bobby Dalbec deserves yet another shot at redemption. Otherwise, Yoshida will get the bulk of the reps.
Pablo Reyes is manager Cora's utility knife. In 2023, Reyes slashed .287/.339/.377 and filled in primarily at short and second. Reyes is not quite Brock Holt but can fill in by providing reasonable defense and smart at-bats.
After the way Boston's offseason went, it would be hard to predict any big deadline moves. If the Red Sox are in playoff contention come the trade deadline, they'll likely stick with what they've got on the roster. If they're not, they may try and ship off some future free agents and more expensive pieces, like O'Neill, Yoshida and Story
More Red Sox reads:
feed