Something needs to be done about the Red Sox bullpen. They’ve been the worst in baseball at holding slim leads late in games. And hopefully some changes come soon. But that’s not what I’m writing about in this article.
The Red Sox have had some weaknesses on offense and defense this year that need addressing. Here are FanGraphs’ numbers for offense, defense, and baserunning this year for the primary player at each position (leaving out first base as it is unsettled):
Outside of pitching, the Red Sox need better results this year from LF, SS, 2B, 1B. I think half of this will solve itself in time, and the other half can be solved by the end of May with help from Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony.
Duran will solve left field. He was the team’s best player last year, and top 10 in the MLB in everything – defense, offense, & baserunning. I think he’s having temporary struggles, and he’ll figure it out.
Campbell is new and it’s showing now. But his talent is such that I believe he will get much better, on offense with counteradjustments, and on defense with practice. No change needed at second base.
Story, I’m not so sure about. If he keeps slumping, I could see a platoon with Marcelo Mayer come about soon. That would solve shortstop.
So with that one change, that leaves just first base needing attention. I’ve come around to thinking that Roman Anthony needs to be the answer there. I know, it would be totally new for him. But it’s new for every other player they have playing there now. And he’s a good-not-great defensive outfielder trying to find a position on a team with three great defensive outfielders. Anthony is a quick study and I think he could come up to speed at first base quickly. He’s tall (6′ 3″) which helps at first base, though he throws right-handed, which is less than ideal when he needs to throw to 2B, but workable. Two weeks of playing first every day at AAA, and I think he’ll be as good as any other option they have now.
Bonus: with Mayer at SS and Anthony at 1B, Campbell would be flanked by two of his best friends from the minors, and that may increase his comfort level. The newness of everything could be part of what is going on with him.
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