The Boston Red Sox have some decisions to make…
Adley Rutschman, the team’s prize acquisition at the trade deadline, just successfully completed his rehab assignment and is expected to be activated for Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Red Sox don’t really have to think too hard about whether or not they’re going to pull the trigger, but they will with the hopeful (and in some cases, impending) returns of shortstop Trevor Story, outfielder Roman Anthony, second baseman Curtis Mead, and starting pitcher Garrett Crochet.
If they elect to bring back any of those four, they’ll need to say goodbye to key contributors to the team that has gone 32-8 since June 25.
I’ve decided to look at each example and weigh whether it would make more sense to keep what is working or be proactive in making the change:
Trevor Story vs. Andruw Monasterio vs. Franklin Arias
Monasterio has been fantastic with the bat as the everyday shortstop, slashing .337/.409/.568 with 11 doubles across 112 plate appearances during that stretch across the entirety of July. It’s a different conversation when you take his defensive acumen into account, where he is +1 outs above average and has -2 defensive runs saved…
Story and Arias, quite frankly, are obvious upgrades.
Story would be the clear choice, given he’s the highest-paid position player on the team and doesn’t need to be promoted in order to join the active roster. Arias is the pipe dream option, but there likely would be too many hurdles to clear in order to even set the wheels in motion. If you want average defense and the potential to be dangerous with the bat, you’re choosing between the veterans, and money would play out in the situation where you’re picking either Story or Monasterio.
Verdict: Story
Roman Anthony vs. Jarren Duran
Anthony is the face of the franchise, so the second he feels confident enough to return he’ll be plugged into left field on an everyday basis.
Duran would be lucky to keep his roster spot, in all honesty, as he is still slashing .201/.258/.355 despite sitting with 16 home runs and 17 stolen bases on Aug. 11. Jahmai Jones and Eli White are more valuable on the bench, as both are right-handed options and the latter serves as a late-inning speed/defense upgrade.
Verdict: Anthony
Garrett Crochet vs. Jovani Moran
“Moran?”
Yes, Moran.
Crochet simply won’t have enough time to build back up and be an option in the starting rotation, so if he does return it will be in the bullpen. Aroldis Chapman and Erik Miller aren’t going anywhere, so if they replace a left-hander it would have to be Moran.
Seth Martinez — or whoever is occupying that last spot by the time the postseason comes around — is another.
Verdict: Crochet
Curtis Mead vs. Anthony Siegler vs. Romy Gonzalez vs. Nick Sogard
“Tony Seagulls” is an absolute delight, but he’s the worst player on the active roster.
Mead and Gonzalez, once healthy and built back up, are tremendous options from the right side of the plate and immediately raise the ceiling of the offense. If there are questions about defense, you could opt to replace the latter with Sogard. The Red Sox might even ship them all back up I-90 W and roll with the middle infield of Story, Mead, Monasterio.
I just don’t see them sticking with the current trio of Sogard, Seigler, and Monasterio.
Verdict: Mead and Gonzalez
If you want to make your choices known, let us know in the comments!
