Should Red Sox Consider Deal With Ex-Yankee? Boston Reportedly Still Looking For Infielders
The Boston Red Sox may have a few more additions up their sleeve before the 2023 season comes around.
Boston already has had a roller coaster of an offseason that saw fan favorites like Xander Bogaerts, J.D. Martinez, and Nathan Eovaldi leave in free agency, but the Red Sox also have made some intriguing moves of their own including their recent trade for former Kansas City Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi. With Bogaerts out the door and Trevor Story set to miss some time, Mondesi is an interesting option to fill the middle infield hole. But, he's not fully healthy himself so Boston still is considering bringing in another middle infielder, according to The Athletic's Chad Jennings.
"Mondesi and (Adam Duvall) have helped fill the void created by Xander Bogaerts' departure and Trevor Story's elbow surgery, but the Red Sox still want to add a middle infielder," Jennings said. "Mondesi is still recovering from knee surgery and might not be ready for Opening Day, and the Red Sox want an experienced option to put alongside Kiké Hernández and Christian Arroyo.
"Unless they can make a trade or sign one of the remaining free agents to a minor league deal -- Elvis Andrus and José Iglesias are the most notable free agents still available -- the Red Sox have to go through the DFA dance all over again."
It sounds like Boston is looking for a veteran middle infielder not necessarily to play every day, but to provide more of a depth option for the squad to go along with Hernandez, Arroyo, and Mondesi. One player that could fit this mold well is former New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies infielder Didi Gregorius.
Gregorius may not be flashy or the best option available, but he has been a solid professional throughout his 11-year Major League Baseball career. He had a down year in 2022 that saw him slash just .210/.263/.304, but dealt with injuries and played in 63 games. Gregorius is a career .257 hitter and has mainly played shortstop, but also has seen time at second base and third base.
The best years of Gregorius' career were from 2015-2019 when he was a member of the Yankees. Over the five years, Gregorius slashed .269/.313/.446 and launched 15 or more home runs in four of the seasons. He also drove in 70 or more runs in three seasons with New York. The shortstop even received Most Valuable Player award votes and finished 20th in 2017 and 2018.
Andrus and Iglesias undoubtedly are the best remaining free agent middle infielders available but they may command a larger role than the Red Sox are willing to give them. Gregorius on the other hand could be more of a platoon guy to pair with Hernandez and Arroyo while the team waits for Mondesi to be ready and eventually Story. At this point in Gregorius' career, he's not a top option anymore, but he has shown throughout his career that he can be a solid player on both sides of the ball and wouldn't cost the Red Sox much at all.
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