Fantasy baseball: 2020 Boston Red Sox fantasy preview
By Mike Marteny
2020 Boston Red Sox projected starting lineup:
Andrew Benintendi, LF (.266, 13 HR, 68 RBI, 10 SB in 541 AB)
Rafael Devers, 3B (.311, 32 HR, 115 RBI, 8 SB in 647 AB)
Xander Bogaerts, SS (.309, 33 HR, 117 RBI, 4 SB in 614 AB)
J.D. Martinez, DH (.304, 36 HR, 105 RBI, 2 SB in 575 AB)
Mitch Moreland, 1B (.252, 19 HR, 58 RBI, 1 SB in 298 AB)
Michael Chavis, 2B (.254, 18 HR, 58 RBI, 2 SB in 347 AB)
Alex Verdugo, RF (.294, 12 HR, 44 RBI, 4 SB in 343 AB with LAD)
Christian Vazquez, C (.276, 23 HR, 72 RBI, 4 SB in 482 AB)
Jackie Bradley, Jr., CF (.236, 21 HR, 62 RBI, 8 SB in 494 AB)
It was a true breakout year for Devers last year, and he’s still only 23. He’ll be 24 this summer. The problem is that 3B is loaded with Arenado, Bregman, Ramirez, and Rendon. Devers could be the fifth 3B off the board and could still cost you a first-round pick. Guess what? He’s worth it. One of my favorite moves this year will be grabbing Devers at the very end of the first and grabbing Xander with the wraparound.
Martinez isn’t a first-round pick because in almost every league he will eat your UTIL slots. It’s the David Ortiz conundrum. Martinez is one of the better hitters around, but that UTIL slot can be very valuable. Martinez is a late first if your league has two UTIL. If not, you may be able to poach him in the early third. I’d pounce there.
Getting the production of Vazquez at a pretty weak position in the middle round is a bit of a gift. If you pass on the elite tier of catchers, Vazquez is a hell of a consolation prize.
Moreland will be in a platoon with either Chavis or Jose Peraza, but if you have daily lineup changes, he’s worth a late round pick if you need cheap power. The same is true with JBJ and you get a few steals with him.
Verdugo is the wild card. The Red Sox thought enough of him to give up Mookie for him. Verdugo wont be that stud this year, but the move to Fenway is going to help immensely. I have no issues taking him as my second or third OF.
Prospects to watch:
When is Bobby Dalbec going to be ready? If he starts the season with the club, he will likely split the platoon with Moreland. If he’s as advertised, he’ll have the full-time job by the end of the year. I like Dalbec as a bench stash if you have the room.
If 2B becomes a problem spot, the Red Sox have any of three guys in the high minors that could take it. C.J. Chatham is probably the most ready, but Connor Wong is the most exciting if he can leap through AAA.