3 players from the 2021 Red Sox who are failing miserably elsewhere
By Drew Koch
The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Which three Boston Red Sox from last year’s squad are struggling in 2022?
When it comes to the Boston Red Sox, few would have predicted that Alex Cora’s bunch would have made it to the American League Championship Series in 2021. But Boston defied the odds and fell just short to eventual AL Champion Houston Astros.
With success comes expectations, and the Red Sox certainly have lofty goals in 2022. Boston returned the majority of their team from 2021 and are currently sitting behind the New York Yankees in the AL East. But the Red Sox do maintain the top spot in the Wild Card race.
While the Boston Red Sox are enjoying success in 2022, a few of their former teammates aren’t so lucky. Which three Red Sox from last year’s team are struggling this season?
3. Former Red Sox infielder Taylor Motter is struggling in 2022.
One former Red Sox player who’s yet to find much success in 2022 is Taylor Motter. The infielder has bounced around with several different organizations over the years. Playing for the Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, and Colorado Rockies, Motter latched on with Boston near the end of last season.
Motter was mashing for Colorado’s Triple-A affiliate last season, crushing 24 round trippers and hitting .335 for Triple-A Albuquerque. His success in the minors led to major league call-up in August, but after playing in 13 games for the Rockies, most often as utility infielder, Motter was hitting just .150 and designated for assignment.
Boston picked up the infielder and almost immediately added him to he active roster. Motter actually played quite well in his first three games, going 2-for-6 with a double and triple. But it was not to be as the Red Sox DFA’d Motter and he was outrighted to Triple-A.
Taylor Motter elected free agency this past offseason and landed with the Cincinnati Reds. Motter received a promotion to the bigs in May to help offset the team’s losses during their road trip to Toronto but was quickly sent back to Triple-A Louisville. The 32-year-old seems destined to spend this season in the minors.