
Kike also has been more comfortable at the plate when playing outfield. Kike’s real value defensively is as a centerfielder or second baseman.
#Boston red sox shortstop full#
The poorly thought-out Plan C: Kike Hernandez is more than capable of playing shortstop, though he has never done it for a full season. Even when he does return, there is no guarantee that his elbow will be able to handle the rigors of shortstop like it used to. Story spent most of 2021 injured and now faces a season-long recovery from a ligament stabilizing procedure that he has needed for two years. But, sometimes, the best-laid plans blow up in your face. If Xander were to walk, Story would be a great replacement. At the time, that seemed like a bargain compared to other all-star shortstops. The solid Plan B: Before the 2021 season, Bloom signed Trevor Story for six years and $140 million. Here is a look at the 2023 Red Sox Shortstop situation: The logical choice: Sign Bogaerts before the 2021 season to an eight-year extension for half the money San Diego paid him and keep your fan favorite, silver slugger around….but let’s not dwell on that.

Until we know what Mayer’s future holds, let’s fire up the ole’ carousel again. Marcelo Mayer might just be the next long-term solution at shortstop, but he is at least a year and a half away, and prospects are never a sure thing in baseball. The Sox were left empty-handed when Xander signed an 11-year mega-deal with the Padres. Of course, Bloom didn’t have the testicular fortitude that Theo Epstein showed in 2004 and opted not to trade Bogaerts at the deadline.
#Boston red sox shortstop free#
The stalwart shortstop was set to be a free agent, and the future was drafted with the 4th pick in the 2021 draft. Chaim Bloom found himself in a 2004-esque situation last year.
#Boston red sox shortstop series#
Bogey took over at short in 2014, won a second World Series in 2018, and for nine full seasons, the carousel of mediocrity stopped spinning. Middlebrooks returned to the team for the playoffs after Xander covered him for 18 games, but by the time the team reached the World Series, a struggling Middlebrooks was replaced by Bogaerts for most of the series. Xander was called up to play some third base while another prospect, Will Middlebrooks, dealt with an injury toward the end of the year.

Xander Bogaerts burst onto the scene at the end of the 2013 run to the World Series. So, it wasn’t until 2014, almost ten years after shipping an unhappy Nomar to Chicago, that Boston finally had its shortstop of the future. Of course, when Nomar left, Hanley Ramirez was the can’t-miss prospect who would fill the spot by 2006, but that plan changed when he was dealt to Florida for Josh Beckett. Pokey Reese, Orlando Cabrera, Edgar Renteria, Alex Gonzalez, Alex Cora, Julio Lugo, Nick Green (who I forgot completely), Marco Scutaro, and Mike Aviles….the plan at short every year was no plan at all. After trading away Nomar Garciaparra before the 2004 trade deadline, the shortstop position became a frustrating carousel of mediocrity in Boston.
