What does a “perfect” rest of the winter look like for the Boston Red Sox? Even with their new ace, Garrett Crochet, the Red Sox are still missing a few critical ingredients to build a title contender. Another starting pitcher would be fantastic, and extra bullpen help feels worthwhile. But the offensive has the most pressing need of all.
The Red Sox blast right-handed pitching, but are shredded by lefties. That’s primarily due to their overreliance on left-handed players, and their greatest righty hitter from last season, outfielder Tyler O’Neill, has already departed via free agency. If right-handed hitters are on the menu, signing Teoscar Hernández, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series-winning cleanup hitter, would be the greatest option. One recent estimate for the Red Sox’s ideal offseason envisions them doing just that.
Earlier this week, Drew VonScio of Newsweek projected that the Red Sox will sign Hernández, providing them the right-handed bat they desperately needed. The Athletic reports that Hernández is expected to sign a three-year contract worth $66 million.
“There’s a bit of logjam in the outfield, but Teoscar Hernandez is the power-hitting, right-handed bat the Red Sox desperately need,” said VonScio. “He has four straight seasons of 25-plus home runs and 75-plus RBI (90-plus in three). Even if the Red Sox decide not to put him in the outfield, he is an ideal DH candidate to replace Masataka Yoshida.” Hernández, 32, is a two-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger who recently had arguably his best season in the majors. He achieved a new career high with 33 home runs, and his 137 OPS+ was a career high in seasons lasting more than 60 games (oh, 2020!).
Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic recently gave the Red Sox “60-40” odds to sign Hernández, so whether or not they’re getting traction, excitement is developing around this prospective Boston acquisition. Can Craig Breslow and company complete this transaction?
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