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3 Red Sox free agents who won’t be back next season and why

By Tim Boyle

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 31: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox bats against the Minnesota Twins on August 31, 2022 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 31: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox bats against the Minnesota Twins on August 31, 2022 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /
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Boston Red Sox
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 02: Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after scoring during the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park on September 02, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Rutherford/Getty Images) /

3) Red Sox need a better center fielder than Enrique Hernandez

Injuries weren’t just a problem for Red Sox pitchers. Enrique Hernandez, a once highly-touted utility man with the Los Angeles Dodgers, joined up with the team at the start of the 2021 season where he took over as the starting center fielder. He had a phenomenal 2021 season. In 2022, he took a huge leap backward.

Missing more than half the year will do that to any player. However, even when on the field, Hernandez wasn’t all that productive. He’ll need a strong finish to lift his batting average over .250. The Red Sox might not even get a .300 OBP from a guy they had hoped could be someone to have at the top of the batting order.

The two years Hernandez spent in Boston was a mix of his very best and worst. He’ll find a home again in 2023 and could even get another starting center fielder gig elsewhere.

One notable Red Sox free agent fans are curious about is Xander Bogaerts. An opt-out in his contract is likely to get exercised. He didn’t make this list because with all of the other players coming off of the books, Boston would be exercising an error in judgment by letting him walk. While they have an immediate replacement with Trevor Story on the roster, we saw enough anguish from him at the plate in 2022 and production from Bogaerts to make it a relationship that must continue.

Next. 3 offseason mistakes the Red Sox can learn from. dark

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