Fansided

3 players Red Sox must prioritize as response to Yankees free-agent frenzy

By Rylie Smith

Aug 16, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (11) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (11) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Braves, Dansby Swanson
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 11: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after striking out against the Philadelphia Phillies d4i in game one of the National League Division Series at Truist Park on October 11, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images) /

2. Red Sox should aim to sign shortstop Dansby Swanson

Dansby Swanson is the lone remaining star shortstop on the market, and Boston should be running after him. They lost their own star, Bogaerts, which is a hole that’ll be nearly impossible to fill.

With the Red Sox, Bogaerts won two World Series, earned five Silver Sluggers, two Red Sox MVPs and was nominated for a Gold Glove.

He played extremely well with Boston, and there’s no guarantee any other player will. While they have Trevor Story, he’s not likely to be nearly as effective as Bogaerts considering he was out with injuries throughout the 2022 season, he had the worst season of his career at the plate (which was also his first season in the American League) and his arm was much weaker than any other season, producing a wFB of -4.6.

Story played second base while he was healthy, and his numbers suggest he won’t be a solid replacement for Bogaerts at short. The Red Sox have very limited options to fill that void, and Swanson is the most promising option available.

While Swanson isn’t the strongest hitter, he’s still above average. This past season, he slashed .277/.329/.447 for an OPS of .776. He had a much better wFB, the best of his career, at 16.0. He’ll be an expensive investment, but he’d be way more likely to help the team toward strong success than anyone internal right now.

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