Chaim Bloom, Alex Cora Reveal Red Sox’s Plans At Shortstop, Second Base

The Boston Pink Sox have been positioned in a self-inflicted bind with the departure of shortstop Xander Bogaerts and the latest surgical procedure on second baseman Trevor Story.

Whereas the center infield choices look like bleak, the group does have a pair of candidates in thoughts to succeed their All-Star duo.

“Now we have lots of confidence in (Kiké Hernández). Now we have this complete manner,” Pink Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom advised the viewers on the crew’s yearly Winter Weekend occasion on Friday. “It’s one of many nice issues about him. He’s mainly a plus defender wherever you place him on the sector. There should not many guys in baseball you may say that about.”

Pink Sox supervisor Alex Cora closely implied that he’d advised Hernández he is in line to be the beginning shortstop subsequent season.

“He’s enthusiastic about it. I do imagine he can do it. His arm performs. His first step is superb. His instincts are nice,” Cora advised the viewers. “He can hit for energy. If we will get energy from that place, energy from second base and energy from heart area, we’re in a greater spot than we had been just a few weeks in the past and doubtless final 12 months.”

Whereas a one-for-one swap from Bogaerts to Hernández is a notable downgrade, Cora’s level about enhancing up the center as an entire is legitimate. 

Newly acquired outfielder Adam Duvall is anticipated to supply extra energy than your complete outfield group a 12 months in the past. The 34-year-old’s final full season was in 2021, when he blasted 38 residence runs. Final 12 months Alex Verdugo, Kiké Hernandez, Rob Refsnyder and Jarren Duran mixed for simply 26 residence runs.

It will not be inconceivable for Hernández to outperform Bogey’s 53 extra-base hits together with 15 residence runs from 2022 — the versatile slugger logged 55 extra-base hits with 20 residence runs in 2021. 

The second base place featured a rotating forged final season, and sure will supply extra of the identical this 12 months, however Christian Arroyo is the main candidate to start out in the intervening time. 

“As of now, Christian goes to play lots,” Cora stated. “He’s a man that I do know there are lots of pink flags so far as the bodily a part of it, proper? The accidents. However when he’s on the sector, he’s a reasonably good one. The way in which he performed second base in 2021 was strong. He’s a really gifted child who can run the bases, who can play good protection, and when he’s on, he’s an excellent hitter. In order of now the place we at, Christian’s going to get lots of repetitions at second base.”

Boston is anticipated to amass a number of center infielders previous to spring coaching, with Elvis Andrus and Josh Harrison being the most definitely additions. Each veterans would combine in properly with a center infield group that severely lacks depth. 

For now, the Pink Sox seem assured with Hernández and Arroyo main the cost, however the aforementioned potential additions might shake issues up. 

Extra MLB: Pink Sox Reportedly Have Three Free-Agent Targets, Answer To Shortstop Dilemma