Red Sox Should Consider Reunion With Right-Handed Slugger To Bolster Depth

Boston could use some more firepower

Scott Neville | Apr 4, 2024

Sep 24, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Overview of Fenway Park from the outfield bleachers prior / Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

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Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox have started the season 5-2 thanks to an unexpecetedly strong pitching staff and some timely offense.

It's clear in the early going, however, that the position player group lacks depth. The outfield has some intriguing pieces including seven players who deserve big-league spots. The infield has far less depth, which is why first baseman Bobby Dalbec not only occupies a roster spot but already has been in some high-leverage spots this season.

The Red Sox chose to roster Dalbec over C.J. Cron when the time came but should explore the idea of bringing the former All-Star back into the organization to eventually supplant Dalbec.

The most likely reason for Cron's departure was because the Red Sox did not feel he was ready on Opening Day following a late signing and slow ramp-up period. Should he return as a member of Triple-A Worcester, he could get back up to speed at his own pace and then provide some power off the bench for Boston down the line.

Dalbec has a 55.9% strikeout rate over the last two seasons, spanning across 59 plate appearances. It's absolutely insane to roster a first baseman who cannot keep his eye on the ball.

Cron hit .248 with 24 extra-base hits including 12 home runs, 37 RBIs and a .729 OPS (87 OPS+) in 71 games between the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Angels last season. While those numbers do not jump off the page, he has a career 111 OPS+ and amassed 60 extra-base hits including 29 home runs in 2022.

It would be wise for the Red Sox to bring in some insurance assuming Dalbec continues to put up poor at-bats -- a safe bet.

More MLB: Red Sox Star Mentioned As Possible Trade Candidate For 2024 Season

Published Apr 4, 2024

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