What about Bobby?

[The Gray Eagle]

[Edited comments about Gurriel rumor that never happened]
they already added Justin Turner, who is a RH bat that can cover first and third.
So it seems like there isn't (or might not be) room for Dalbec on the roster.

Looks like there are basically 3 options for Dalbec this year:
1. He gets traded.
2. He is a part-timer here.
3. He starts the season in Worcester.

The issue with option 1 is that his trade value seems to be lower now than pretty much ever. But maybe a team out there thinks he will bounce back after a change of scenery. He is cheap and has years of control left.
He seems like a guy who would be useful if he was on a team where he played third base, not first, in a market with less pressure, where he could go out there and be allowed to hit 25 bombs (like he did here in 2021) and whiff 200 times without a lot of criticism from the fans and local media. That isn't Boston, especially now that we made the long-term commitment to Devers.
If a team looks at his first 2 seasons, where he had an .819 OPS and 33 HR in 545 PA, they could see a cheap and useful third baseman there and it would make sense for them to buy low on him. We probably wouldn't get much for him in return, but he seems like a classic Tampa or Oakland kind of pickup.

Option 2 seems less likely with Turner on the team, and basically unpossible if they add another first baseman. Option 3 is likeliest if he isn't traded. Maybe he starts off there and is insurance if he mashes and we have an injury at first, third or DH, or if Gurriel flops?

Overall, it makes the most sense to me that once they agreed to bring in Turner and extended Devers, that the next step would be a Dalbec trade. Not sure what we would get back. Maybe a couple minor leaguers who don't need to be on the 40-man, or him being included as part of a package.

 

[Saints Rest]

You answered your own question: he starts off [in Worcester] and is insurance if he mashes and we have an injury at first, third or DH, or if Gurriel flops.

 

[Rasputin]

He's of almost no use whatsoever. Trade him for a bucket of Big League Chew and let's get on with it.

 

[gehrig]

Worcester doesn't have another first baseman. Let him play there until something happens. There's probably easier cuts off the 40 man.

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

Worcester is a nice idea, but it’s going to be difficult to keep everyone on the 40 if they add a few more players.

 

[BringBackMo]

I have always rooted for Bobby and I continue to root for Bobby. He's a fun and easy to like player. But he's 27 now, turns 28 at the end of June. We know what he is as a player, and so does the league. There's a narrow band of good that sometimes flashes great, and a much wider band of bad that often flashes putrid. I suspect that's all baked into his trade value, which I don't think will be much different six months from now or a year from now. He's probably getting traded.

Under different circumstances, the Sox might see fit to keep this flawed but occasionally useful player around. But with Casas and Turner, he's just more cholesterol in an already clogged 40 man. They are already going to have to make choices there because Turner's not even on the 40 man yet, and because they have very little middle infield depth on it. Stashing Bobby in Worcester is pointless because it still requires a 40 man spot, and because he is the player that he is and the only thing that's left to discover about him is which big league team is constructed in a way that will allow him to flourish as the left (and cheap) half of a 1b/DH platoon. So he's probably going to get traded, and you just take what you can get for him. Or perhaps you package him with Houck and/or Duran and/or Rafaela in a broader deal.

 

[Sandy Leon Trotsky]

I have always rooted for Bobby and I continue to root for Bobby. He's a fun and easy to like player. But he's 27 now, turns 28 at the end of June. We know what he is as a player, and so does the league. There's a narrow band of good that sometimes flashes great, and a much wider band of bad that often flashes putrid. I suspect that's all baked into his trade value, which I don't think will be much different six months from now or a year from now. He's probably getting traded.

Under different circumstances, the Sox might see fit to keep this flawed but occasionally useful player around. But with Casas and Turner, he's just more cholesterol in an already clogged 40 man. They are already going to have to make choices there because Turner's not even on the 40 man yet, and because they have very little middle infield depth on it. Stashing Bobby in Worcester is pointless because it still requires a 40 man spot, and because he is the player that he is and the only thing that's left to discover about him is which big league team is constructed in a way that will allow him to flourish as the left (and cheap) half of a 1b/DH platoon. So he's probably going to get traded, and you just take what you can get for him. Or perhaps you package him with Houck and/or Duran and/or Rafaela in a broader deal.

I'm honestly not sure we can say that we KNOW what he is as a player.... there's been plenty of VERY late maturers that just show promise until age 27-28 then turn into borderline AS for a few years. I'm not going to say that Bobby is that guy... but I don't know if he'll ever be able to plug the gaping hole in his game to become anything more than a platoon player.
I was pretty confident that he'd be able to get to around 25 HR's and a very heavy SLG .775OPS with consistency and his defense would improve. He wasn't the guy that looked like Bonds Jr. the last two months of '21 and I still don't believe he's the pile of garbage he pretty much was almost all of last season either.
He's not worth much in a trade but I can squint and imagine that there's a few teams that could get into a minor minor minor bidding war to get him and offer up a young low minor prospect in return that has some promise.
But I just don't see how he can be on the Sox anymore. If he does turn into Ortiz v.2.0 after the Twins pick him up for nothing, we'll call it even.

 

[Daniel_Son]

Is there something I'm missing? Bobby seems like a pretty good platoon partner for Casas, who struggled against lefties in AAA (.224/.350/.269 line in 80 plate appearances against lefties).

Casas v. MLB RHP, 2022: .193/.343/.474/.817, 16 SO, 13 BB, 11 H, 5 HR over 57 ABs.
Dalbec v. MLB LHP, 2022: .240/.348/.406/.755, 36 SO, 14 BBs, 23 H, 5 HR over 96 ABs.

Hell, Dalbec has a career .855 OPS against LHP in majors, including a .522 slugging. His place on the team seems pretty obvious - spell Triston against lefties if his struggles continue, provide some power off the bench, cover 3rd if Raffy is injured/needs a break.

 

[simplicio]

Is there something I'm missing?

Justin Turner?

 

[Daniel_Son]

Justin Turner?

I envision Turner serving as primary DH with the ability to cover 1B/3B in a pinch. Given that 1. Casas is still extremely young and largely unproven, 2. Raffy and Story have respectively missed 18 and 25 games per year on average, and 3. Cora insists on off-days, I'd err on the side of caution with more INF coverage than less. Plus, Turner is 38 and has only topped 140 games twice - I'd wager he misses some time this year.

Everything also depends on how they use Story and Arroyo - if they sign someone like Andrus or Iglesias, then Story stays at 2B and Arroyo is a super-utility. If not, then I'd guess Arroyo is the primary 2B and then they really need Dalbec to provide depth in the corner IF.

 

[TimScribble]

Is there something I'm missing? Bobby seems like a pretty good platoon partner for Casas, who struggled against lefties in AAA (.224/.350/.269 line in 80 plate appearances against lefties).

Casas v. MLB RHP, 2022: .193/.343/.474/.817, 16 SO, 13 BB, 11 H, 5 HR over 57 ABs.
Dalbec v. MLB LHP, 2022: .240/.348/.406/.755, 36 SO, 14 BBs, 23 H, 5 HR over 96 ABs.

Hell, Dalbec has a career .855 OPS against LHP in majors, including a .522 slugging. His place on the team seems pretty obvious - spell Triston against lefties if his struggles continue, provide some power off the bench, cover 3rd if Raffy is injured/needs a break.

I think two things stand out and that’s his strikeout rate, 33.4% and his sub par handling of 1B. There were several instances last year with runners on base with one out or less where Dalbec struck out instead of even providing a productive out.

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

I think the biggest challenge, even with a guy who hits LH as well as Bobby, is optimizing that usage. There just aren’t a ton of lefty starters these days, and starters don’t go that long, so if you start a guy like Dalbec against a LH, you may only have a platoon advantage for an at bat or two, and then what? He’s just so bad against righties that it’s really difficult to use him in a way that really helps the team.

 

[mikeford]

Seems like a classic 4A guy who will probably mash in Worcester and if he comes up to Boston again for any reason hit .087 with 60 Ks

Send him to the Pirates for a lottery ticket or something.

 

[NDame616]

Other than the 40 man crunch why not keep him in Worcester ?

 

[gammoseditor]

I think the biggest challenge, even with a guy who hits LH as well as Bobby, is optimizing that usage. There just aren’t a ton of lefty starters these days, and starters don’t go that long, so if you start a guy like Dalbec against a LH, you may only have a platoon advantage for an at bat or two, and then what? He’s just so bad against righties that it’s really difficult to use him in a way that really helps the team.

Agreed. I’m sure last year they tried to maximize his at bats against LHP. He still faced a righty 2/3 of the time. He’s bad defensively and he’s below replacement level offensively against RHP.

 

[Tony Pena's Gas Cloud]

I envision Turner serving as primary DH with the ability to cover 1B/3B in a pinch. Given that 1. Casas is still extremely young and largely unproven, 2. Raffy and Story have respectively missed 18 and 25 games per year on average, and 3. Cora insists on off-days, I'd err on the side of caution with more INF coverage than less. Plus, Turner is 38 and has only topped 140 games twice - I'd wager he misses some time this year.

Everything also depends on how they use Story and Arroyo - if they sign someone like Andrus or Iglesias, then Story stays at 2B and Arroyo is a super-utility. If not, then I'd guess Arroyo is the primary 2B and then they really need Dalbec to provide depth in the corner IF.

Story "averages" missing 25 games per year exclusively due to 2022. He'd never played fewer than 142 games in a full season and played 59 of the 60 games in '20. The majority of the games he missed in '22 were due to a hit by pitch. Were you somehow suggesting he's injury prone?

 

[Daniel_Son]

Story "averages" missing 25 games per year exclusively due to 2022. He'd never played fewer than 142 games in a full season and played 59 of the 60 games in '20. The majority of the games he missed in '22 were due to a hit by pitch. Were you somehow suggesting he's injury prone?

You're correct that the averages thing was a little disingenuous. I was trying to make a larger point about the need for infield depth. But he did have two pretty long stints on the injured list last year. I wouldn't go so far as to say he's injury prone but I don't think it's that difficult to envision him spending some time on the IL next year. I also don't know if they plan on playing him at SS or 2B next year either - if it's the former, that's a bit more strenuous on his throwing arm, too.

 

[Zupcic Fan]

I agree with Ras. I think the sport has passed me by. Bobby’s walk to strikeout ratio is 5 to 1 lifetime. I’ve never seen anything like that. I mean Gary Sanchez, who seems to strike out every time he is up, has only a 3 to one ratio. Bobby can never be counted on with a runner on third and less than two outs to at least make contact. Never. He just blindly hacks away with no concept of a good at bat. I agree he’s perfect for the Pirates. I mean they took Chavez. I’m already happy that I don’t have to watch JD Martinez swing at every single slider outside the zone. I’ll be happy if I don’t have to watch this guy any more either. Too bad because he seems like a pretty good guy. Unfortunately no one on the coaching staff could get him to change his approach to at bats.

 

[Niastri]

Is there something I'm missing? Bobby seems like a pretty good platoon partner for Casas, who struggled against lefties in AAA (.224/.350/.269 line in 80 plate appearances against lefties).

Casas v. MLB RHP, 2022: .193/.343/.474/.817, 16 SO, 13 BB, 11 H, 5 HR over 57 ABs.
Dalbec v. MLB LHP, 2022: .240/.348/.406/.755, 36 SO, 14 BBs, 23 H, 5 HR over 96 ABs.

Hell, Dalbec has a career .855 OPS against LHP in majors, including a .522 slugging. His place on the team seems pretty obvious - spell Triston against lefties if his struggles continue, provide some power off the bench, cover 3rd if Raffy is injured/needs a break.

And part time DH against southpaw starters...

Plus his batting/defensive profile makes for a valuable bench hitter. Being a lefty killer in the age of the three batter minimum is a huge asset off the bench. Dalbec can have a chance to win a few games coming in late and hitting homeruns nobody else expects.

 

[Blizzard of 1978]

I agree with Ras. I think the sport has passed me by. Bobby’s walk to strikeout ratio is 5 to 1 lifetime. I’ve never seen anything like that. I mean Gary Sanchez, who seems to strike out every time he is up, has only a 3 to one ratio. Bobby can never be counted on with a runner on third and less than two outs to at least make contact. Never. He just blindly hacks away with no concept of a good at bat. I agree he’s perfect for the Pirates. I mean they took Chavez. I’m already happy that I don’t have to watch JD Martinez swing at every single slider outside the zone. I’ll be happy if I don’t have to watch this guy any more either. Too bad because he seems like a pretty good guy. Unfortunately no one on the coaching staff could get him to change his approach to at bats.

Good points you make.
I have never seen a baseball player like Bobby Dalbec strike out like that. Franchy Cordero came close, and it was a lot of fun having both Dalbec and Franchy in the same lineup last year. Ha ha.

 

[Sox Puppet]

[anecdotal evidence alert]

I think what's frustrating about Bobby D is not just that he strikes out a lot, it's the way he strikes out.

Like, any RHP that can throw hard isn't afraid of him at all. I can't count how many times this year the pitcher would just pump two fastballs right down the middle for a quick 0-2 count, not even bothering to nibble around the corners, then throw a junk pitch that Bobby reached for for strike three.

 

[johnlos]

[anecdotal evidence alert]

I think what's frustrating about Bobby D is not just that he strikes out a lot, it's the way he strikes out.

Like, any RHP that can throw hard isn't afraid of him at all. I can't count how many times this year the pitcher would just pump two fastballs right down the middle for a quick 0-2 count, not even bothering to nibble around the corners, then throw a junk pitch that Bobby reached for for strike three.

Came here to say the same! I can't stand his three-pitch strikeouts anymore. Had an otherworldly month or two in 2021 but regressed so hard last year I'd be fine cutting bait

 

[Sleepy108]

I couldn't agree more with him departing. I have been calling him LOBby for at least a year now.

 

[jon abbey]

Pitches/PA in 2022:

Juan Soto: 4.18 (tied for 10th of 131 qualifiers)
Bobby Dalbec: 4.18

 

[Sox Puppet]

Haha, nice. That's probably the only time Soto and Dalbec will ever tie in anything.

Walks in 2022:
Soto: 135 in 664 PA (20.3%)
Dalbec: 29 in 353 PA (8.2%)

Strikeouts in 2022:
Soto: 96/664 (14.5%)
Dalbec: 118/353 (33.4%)

 

[Hee Sox Choi]

Pitches/PA in 2022:

Juan Soto: 4.18 (tied for 10th of 131 qualifiers)
Bobby Dalbec: 4.18

Well, you at least need 3 to strike out.

 

[jteders1]

I keep seeing the argument for keeping him for infield depth. This makes no sense to me. He's an acceptable defender at 3rd, bad at first, and not really capable of playing 2nd or SS. That's not the type of depth we need. Bring on Iglasias for 7-8m who can play all over the IF, and is also a better hitter.

I'm not saying I think Bobby doesn't have a chance to be a late bloomer and be an above average big leaguer, he could be. I am saying that I highly doubt that happens in Boston. He's had the same coaching for 3 years and outside of a 2 month stretch he's been putrid. He takes up a 40 man when we're already tight, trade him. It's best for the team and Bobby.

 

[johnlos]

I keep seeing the argument for keeping him for infield depth. This makes no sense to me. He's an acceptable defender at 3rd, bad at first, and not really capable of playing 2nd or SS. That's not the type of depth we need. Bring on Iglasias for 7-8m who can play all over the IF, and is also a better hitter.

I'm not saying I think Bobby doesn't have a chance to be a late bloomer and be an above average big leaguer, he could be. I am saying that I highly doubt that happens in Boston. He's had the same coaching for 3 years and outside of a 2 month stretch he's been putrid. He takes up a 40 man when we're already tight, trade him. It's best for the team and Bobby.

I'm going to go ahead and say he doesn't have a chance to be a late bloomer. The plate discipline is too bad and I don't think that's something 27 year-olds ever figure out.

Pitches/PA in 2022:

Juan Soto: 4.18 (tied for 10th of 131 qualifiers)
Bobby Dalbec: 4.18

hahahaha

 

[Bergs]

Well, you at least need 3 to strike out.

Exactly.

 

[Coachster]

Well, you at least need 3 to strike out.

Didn't it seem like he always had two strikes on him as soon as he stepped into the box? Strike swinging, called strike, and flail at a pitch out of the zone- prime Bobby Dalbec.

 

[geoflin]

That's why it took at least 3 pitches - even when he swung he couldn't hit the first 2.

 

[Sin Duda]

Don't the Red Sox offer VR goggles to the player to help him figure out during the offseason how to lay off sliders and curves? I'm serious. I think younger players are already doing this. Of course, the player has to do the work, but someone about to lose his Major League status should be all in, I'd think.

 

[shaggydog2000]

I keep seeing the argument for keeping him for infield depth. This makes no sense to me. He's an acceptable defender at 3rd, bad at first, and not really capable of playing 2nd or SS. That's not the type of depth we need. Bring on Iglasias for 7-8m who can play all over the IF, and is also a better hitter*.

I'm not saying I think Bobby doesn't have a chance to be a late bloomer and be an above average big leaguer, he could be. I am saying that I highly doubt that happens in Boston. He's had the same coaching for 3 years and outside of a 2 month stretch he's been putrid. He takes up a 40 man when we're already tight, trade him. It's best for the team and Bobby.

*Citation needed

Dalbec's numbers are definitely not trending in the right direction, but Iglesias is the definition of empty batting average with almost no walks and no power. Iglesias has only one season out of the last 8 with a positive Offensive WAR (fangrapsh), and that was because he played less than 40 games.

 

[Rovin Romine]

*Citation needed

Dalbec's numbers are definitely not trending in the right direction, but Iglesias is the definition of empty batting average with almost no walks and no power. Iglesias has only one season out of the last 8 with a positive Offensive WAR (fangrapsh), and that was because he played less than 40 games.

I don't disagree, but the case for Iglesias is really about keeping the chair warm for Story in combination with Mondesi, Arroyo, and Hernandez. We've got two 2B types on the 40 man in Valdez and Hamilton, but Valdez is bat first and may not be ready, and Hamilton has no AAA experience. Rafaela is another possible middle IF type who does not yet seem ready.

A low-cost FA a low cost can be slotted in and released/traded if needed.

I don't know if Iggy at $7-8M qualifies though, and whether we need a middle IF at all depends on Mondesi, Arroyo, and Hernandez being healthy.

Fingers crossed.

 

[shaggydog2000]

I guess if you get him as cheap filler, Iglesias is fine. But calling him a good hitter is grossly wrong, and according to advanced stats his range has dropped off pretty hard over the last 4 years (not a surprise as he gets into his 30s), and he's no longer a good defensive SS. He's still a true SS, and will probably be an average defensive one (or close enough to it as he was last year) so there is some value there. He just shouldn't be Plan A or B.

 

[jbupstate]

Don't the Red Sox offer VR goggles to the player to help him figure out during the offseason how to lay off sliders and curves? I'm serious. I think younger players are already doing this. Of course, the player has to do the work, but someone about to lose his Major League status should be all in, I'd think.

My sons high school team is encouraging this… it’s kind of hilarious because the kids who are doing this (at additional costs btw) could not hit weak cheese in 12u. I think you can hit / recognize off speed or you cannot. It’s the dividing line in high school. It’s what ends most careers.

 

[jteders1]

I guess if you get him as cheap filler, Iglesias is fine. But calling him a good hitter is grossly wrong, and according to advanced stats his range has dropped off pretty hard over the last 4 years (not a surprise as he gets into his 30s), and he's no longer a good defensive SS. He's still a true SS, and will probably be an average defensive one (or close enough to it as he was last year) so there is some value there. He just shouldn't be Plan A or B.

I didn’t call him a good hitter, I said he was a better hitter. Dalbec OPS+ last year was 80, Iglesias was 90. Plus he’s a superior defender. I did post that before the modesi acquisition, but I think Jose for a bench bat makes sense.

 

[Daniel_Son]

I didn’t call him a good hitter, I said he was a better hitter. Dalbec OPS+ last year was 80, Iglesias was 90. Plus he’s a superior defender. I did post that before the modesi acquisition, but I think Jose for a bench bat makes sense.

And if we go back a year further, Dalbec had a 107 OPS+ through 130~ games, which is higher than anything Iglesias has put up over a full season. Iglesias is also 33 years old - I'd imagine the list of players with a career 88 OPS+ who get better in their mid-30s is a pretty short one.

The real question is which player will provide more value to the team during their time in Boston. Signing Iglesias is projected to cost the Sox 2 yrs, $10 mil. It also requires dropping someone off the 40-man. Bobby is already on the roster making relative peanuts, is under contract until 2027, and he can be stashed in AAA. So when you weigh spending 5 million in 2023 - year when the Sox are not built to compete for the playoffs - on what's likely a late-inning defensive replacement (which could push them over the threshold with bonuses/incentives kicking in) vs. going with the high-power, high-K 27-year-old we've already got... I dunno, seems like an easy choice to me. Come on down, Bobby.

 

[beautokyo]

And if we go back a year further, Dalbec had a 107 OPS+ through 130~ games, which is higher than anything Iglesias has put up over a full season. Iglesias is also 33 years old - I'd imagine the list of players with a career 88 OPS+ who get better in their mid-30s is a pretty short one.

The real question is which player will provide more value to the team during their time in Boston. Signing Iglesias is projected to cost the Sox 2 yrs, $10 mil. It also requires dropping someone off the 40-man. Bobby is already on the roster making relative peanuts, is under contract until 2027, and he can be stashed in AAA. So when you weigh spending 5 million in 2023 - year when the Sox are not built to compete for the playoffs - on what's likely a late-inning defensive replacement (which could push them over the threshold with bonuses/incentives kicking in) vs. going with the high-power, high-K 27-year-old we've already got... I dunno, seems like an easy choice to me. Come on down, Bobby.

I'm in the same boat with you on this. I can't see spending the money when there's no real night and day advantage.

 

[walt in maryland]

Is there something I'm missing? Bobby seems like a pretty good platoon partner for Casas, who struggled against lefties in AAA (.224/.350/.269 line in 80 plate appearances against lefties).

Casas v. MLB RHP, 2022: .193/.343/.474/.817, 16 SO, 13 BB, 11 H, 5 HR over 57 ABs.
Dalbec v. MLB LHP, 2022: .240/.348/.406/.755, 36 SO, 14 BBs, 23 H, 5 HR over 96 ABs.

Hell, Dalbec has a career .855 OPS against LHP in majors, including a .522 slugging. His place on the team seems pretty obvious - spell Triston against lefties if his struggles continue, provide some power off the bench, cover 3rd if Raffy is injured/needs a break.

The Sox have Turner to spell Casas against lefties, but Casas isn't going to be platooned. If Dalbec isn't traded, I doubt the Sox will DFA him, so he'll probably be in Worcester. Don't see a role for him on the MLB team.

 

[nvalvo]

Dalbec has value to us as depth if Devers, Turner or Casas miss time at some point.

If he can bring something in return, amazing. But if not, he’s worth a 40-man spot as corner IF/DH depth with legitimate upside, even if he’s obviously something of a post-prospect at this point. And who knows, maybe something clicks in AAA.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

The Sox have Turner to spell Casas against lefties, but Casas isn't going to be platooned. If Dalbec isn't traded, I doubt the Sox will DFA him, so he'll probably be in Worcester. Don't see a role for him on the MLB team.

Dalbec may end up on the MLB roster by default, at least based on the way things look now. They have to carry 13 position players, and currently have 19 on the 40-man. Story is out. It's unlikely any of the prospects who haven't gotten above AA yet will make the Opening Day roster (Rafaela, Abreu, Hamilton). That leaves Dalbec, Duran, and Valdez as the three most likely candidates for the final roster spot (the rest are locks if they're healthy). If Mondesi starts the year on the IL as suspected, that would mean two of the three make it. Odds are in Dalbec's favor to make the roster.

 

[Cassvt2023]

Dalbec may end up on the MLB roster by default, at least based on the way things look now. They have to carry 13 position players, and currently have 19 on the 40-man. Story is out. It's unlikely any of the prospects who haven't gotten above AA yet will make the Opening Day roster (Rafaela, Abreu, Hamilton). That leaves Dalbec, Duran, and Valdez as the three most likely candidates for the final roster spot (the rest are locks if they're healthy). If Mondesi starts the year on the IL as suspected, that would mean two of the three make it. Odds are in Dalbec's favor to make the roster.

When Chaim Bloom spoke after the Mondesi trade, he alluded to the fact that he may not be quite ready for opening day. So Kiki and Arroyo would be the starting middle infield. Who else is on the roster that can play there? Possibly Dalbec or Wong in a pinch at 2B. Duran or Valdez in an emergency at 2B? None can legitimately play SS. Are we comfortable with this lack of depth if Mondesi starts season on IL or in extended ST?

 

[JM3]

When Chaim Bloom spoke after the Mondesi trade, he alluded to the fact that he may not be quite ready for opening day. So Kiki and Arroyo would be the starting middle infield. Who else is on the roster that can play there? Possibly Dalbec or Wong in a pinch at 2B. Duran or Valdez in an emergency at 2B? None can legitimately play SS. Are we comfortable with this lack of depth if Mondesi starts season on IL or in extended ST?

Niko was a 2.7 fWAR SS...in 2019.

Valdez is a 2B by trade, so that wouldn't be much of a stretch & move Arroyo to SS. Hamilton can play SS (although not well afaik) & can play 2B ok.

 

[Cassvt2023]

Niko was a 2.7 fWAR SS...in 2019.

Valdez is a 2B by trade, so that wouldn't be much of a stretch & move Arroyo to SS. Hamilton can play SS (although not well afaik) & can play 2B ok.

Good point JM3, i keep overlooking Niko. He played all over for Tigers, but 2nd a lot if i remember correctly. I'm not sure they'd call up Hamilton, who spent most of last year at AA. I'm kind of intrigued by Valdez based on seeing his minor league #'s last year.

 

[JM3]

Good point JM3, i keep overlooking Niko. He played all over for Tigers, but 2nd a lot if i remember correctly. I'm not sure they'd call up Hamilton, who spent most of last year at AA. I'm kind of intrigued by Valdez based on seeing his minor league #'s last year.

Here's Niko's career innings by position (with career OAA at that position in parens):

SS 1,200.2 (17)
2B 931.1 (6)
1B 408.2 (-1)
LF 280.1 (0)
RF 120 (-1)
CF 93 (0)
3B 84 (-2)

For full disclosure, DRS is not nearly as big of a fan & has him at -3 at SS, & -7 at 2B.

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

The difficulty is getting one of these guys like Goodrum on the 40-man and keeping him there. If it’s only looking like a few weeks, you can probably try to get by with Dalbec. But something like Duran or Dalbec for Joey Wendle would probably help the roster out a bit.

 

[teddywingman]

If I have to watch Dalbec strike out every night this spring I'm gonna be pissed.

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Speier discusses Dalbec playing SS and his versatility:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/03/14/sports/its-tall-order-an-emergency-red-sox-use-bobby-dalbec-shortstop/

Dalbec — who took all his offseason groundballs at short and third — got a start at shortstop against the Tigers on Tuesday.
He played well, initiating a 6-4-3 double play and making a good play coming in on a grounder. Dalbec will get another start at short on Wednesday.
“I think I can be a good shortstop, not just a tall one,” he said.
Fulfilling that claim may prove pivotal to a big league roster spot.
“Versatility is important for him,” manager Alex Cora said. “I think he’s a plus defender. The more we can expose him at short, second if we have a chance, we’ll do that.”

I'm sure that Cora's comment about him being a plus defender is just some public encouragement, not a sincere analysis.

The competition for backup IF on the roster was reduced as Valdez was optioned down:

Enmanuel Valdez, who was optioned after the game, is lefthanded, but he’s also inexperienced (82 games in Triple A, none in the big leagues) and limited to second, where his defense is generally graded as below-average.
“Valdez still needs some seasoning, quote-unquote, to get better defensively and offensively, but you can’t rule him out,” said Cora.
Chang may have the inside track, since unlike Dalbec, he can’t be optioned to the minors without being exposed to waivers. Still, Dalbec is using camp to make his case for a roster spot, and playing shortstop is a step in that direction.
“I love it. It’s fun,” said Dalbec, hitting .310/.375/.552 this spring. “I’m trying to create more value by playing high-quality defense anywhere.

 

[AB in DC]

Seems like there's room for both Chang and Dalbec until Mondesi is ready, no?