Back for another installment of my MLB Offseason Breakdown for the 2021 season. If you are new here, what I do is write about all the acquisitions and losses the team had, my projected lineups and rotations, grade for the offseason, and my prediction for the team in the 2021 season. Let’s get into it.
Acquisitions and Losses:
Red Sox Trade Andrew Benintendi and cash to Kansas City and received Franchy Cordero, Josh Winckowski, and three players to be named later from the Royals and Mets
This was an interesting trade because the Red Sox essentially gave up on Benintendi. They thought his value wouldn’t be higher than what it is now and just sent him out to Kansas City. I get he had a lackluster of a 2020 that was riddled with injury but I would not give up on a player like him this quickly. I feel like he would have been a star player for years to come. Also, its not like they got anything good back in return. Franchy Cordero hasn’t done much in his limited time in the MLB with San Diego and Kansas City, and Josh Winckowski isn’t even a top 30 prospect in the Red Sox system. Bad trade in my eyes when I feel like they could have gotten more from the trade.
CF Jackie Bradley Jr. signs a 2 year $24 million contract with Milwaukee
The Red Sox were not able to resign their longtime centerfielder this offseason and there are pros and cons to this move. A pro is, Jackie Bradley Jr. is not a good hitter. He did have his best season hitting last season where he had career highs in batting average and on base percentage, but you would have to assume that he probably wouldn’t do it again. He has never been consistent as a hitter so who says that would change as he enters his 9th MLB season. The con to losing Bradley is he is one of, if not the best, defensive centerfielders in baseball. He makes any defense better when he is on the field, and for this reason alone I would have brought him back if I was Boston. You pay him $12 million a year and live with it because he is that good on the field.
2B Kiki Hernandez signs a 2 year $14 million contract
The Red Sox bring in maybe the most versatile player in baseball today and I love the move. Kiki Hernandez can pretty much play any position you ask him to. Hernandez will be a great platoon player for Boston as he will help the team wherever he is needed.
RHP Garrett Richards signs a 1 year $10 million contract
Another good move by Boston as they try to improve what was one of the worst pitching staffs in all of baseball last season. Richards had an ERA just over 4 last season as he looked fairly decent with San Diego. Richards will be a pretty solid #3 option for Boston this season.
Red Sox acquire Adam Ottavino, Frank German, and cash considerations from the Yankees for a player to be named later
After having one of his worst full seasons in the MLB last season, the Red Sox thought it was a good idea to take on Adam Ottavino. I also think it was a good idea. Ottavino is usually a very reliable pitcher, one bad year isn’t going to make me think he is just going to be like this for the rest of his career. I think it was a good trade, considering the Red Sox gave up nothing to get the relief pitcher.
RF Hunter Renfroe signs a 1 year $3.1 million contract
Hunter Renfroe is a very good power hitter. He has sneaky power that people do not realize and that’s a good thing. He will get you +20 home runs a season. The bad thing is, he cannot hit the ball. He’s basically a worse version of Joey Gallo. Renfroe will probably be the starting rightfielder this season for the Red Sox and that’s concerning.
Projected Lineup:
C: Christian Vasquez
1B: Bobby Dalbec
2B: Kiki Hernandez
3B: Rafael Devers
SS: Xander Bogaerts
LF: Marwin Gonzalez
CF: Alex Verdugo
RF: Hunter Renfroe
DH: J.D. Martinez
Projected Rotation
1. Eduardo Rodriguez
2. Nathan Eovaldi
3. Garrett Richards
4. Martin Perez
5. Nick Pivetta
Offseason Grade: C-
2021 Prediction:
Improvement from last year at least. Last years grade was D-, so a C- is always good. There’s not much hope for the Red Sox this season. Your pitching staff still wont be good. Not much trust in Rodriguez and Eovaldi being your #1 and #2 option. Your hitting has some inconsistencies. Last year J.D. Martinez had his worst season in his career and Rafael Devers regressed from the season prior. You do not know what you are going to get from the young players like Alex Verdugo and Bobby Dalbec. I’m sure they will be good this season, but as of right now, it is too early to tell. The Red Sox have very low expectations this year and that why I have them finishing 4th in the AL East. The AL East has some good teams in it, that will make it hard to compete. I think we will find out early what type of team the Red Sox are going to be this year and my early prediction is not good for them. They are building something good with their prospects at least, which means they will be back to competing for the AL East in no time, or at least before the Orioles become good.
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Previous Offseason Breakdowns:
Arizona Diamondbacks
Atlanta Braves
Baltimore Orioles
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