Red Sox Place Fan Favorite Slugger On Trade Block After Lackluster Stint In Boston

Boston is ready to move on as its once-prized prospect has not panned out

Scott Neville | Dec 5, 2022

Red Sox Place Fan Favorite Slugger On Trade Block After Lackluster Stint In Boston /

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The Boston Red Sox reportedly are prepared to make a move that many saw coming.

It sounds as if Boston is prepared to make a move involving one of the most beloved players at Fenway Park -- someone whose production has never aligned with his fandom or hype.

"Not surprisingly, the Red Sox have told teams that Bobby Dalbec is available. Tampa Bay is one team (that) has expressed some interest," the Boston Sports Journal's Sean McAdam tweeted Monday.

Dalbec is more likely to receive a name chant than anyone in the lineup, but he's rarely delivered in those moments.

Last season the versatile corner infielder hit .215 with 23 extra-base hits including 12 home runs, 39 RBIs, a horrendous 118-to-29 strikeout-to-walk ratio and .652 OPS in 117 games.

He was sent down toward the end of the season, which was an important marker in his steady decline down the Red Sox organization.

Many that still believe there is time for Dalbec to develop into his potential are unaware that he's already 27 years old with two seasons of regular playing time.

Yes, the 6-foot-4, 227-pound slugger could become a 25-to-30 home run hitter with an above-average OPS, but his strikeout percentage always will be high and his batting average likely will stay underwhelming.

With Triston Casas expected to take over the bulk of the first base work and Eric Hosmer on the roster as well, it doesn't make much sense for Dalbec to make the 2023 roster.

The Rays would be an interesting landing spot, and he appears to be a player they would target. Dalbec would greatly benefit from a platoon role, which Tampa utilizes heavily.

More MLB Winter Meetings:

- If This Report Is Accurate, It Would Make Xander Bogaerts Reunion Very Realistic

- Dodgers Reportedly Interested In Snatching Free Agent Slugger From Red Sox

- Potential Red Sox Target Reportedly Expected To Be Dealt, Should Boston Make Move?

Published Dec 5, 2022

SCOTT NEVILLE

Scott Neville covers the Boston Red Sox for Sports Illustrated's new page "Inside The Red Sox." Before starting "Inside The Red Sox", Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate and current co-worker Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series" where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join the Sports Illustrated Media Group in his current endeavor as the publisher of "Inside The Red Sox." The successful launch and quick rise of "Inside The Red Sox" led to Neville joining the Baseball Essential ownership group, a national baseball site under SIMG. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: nevilles@merrimack.edu