3 players in Red Sox Opening Day lineup who won’t be on the roster next season
By Mark Powell
Red Sox Opening Day lineup: Adam Duvall is good as gone
Red Sox outfielder Adam Duvall is set to make $7 million this season and play center field in Boston. As capable as Duvall is in the field — he won a Gold Glove in 2021 — he’s projected it hit just .225 with a .284 OBP via baseball-reference, which is right on par with his averages the last few seasons.
Duvall was beloved in Atlanta for his defense during their World Series run, but he hasn’t offered much else. At best, he’s a platoon outfielder who should not be starting on a World Series-caliber team at this juncture.
Hopefully, for Boston’s sake, by the 2024 season the Sox will hope to add to an already-talented roster. Also, Duvall in center field is a bit of risk given his limited speed at the position, but the Sox don’t have many options at the moment. In spring training, Duvall admitted he was anxious to man center come Opening Day:
“I think the pace of play, it’s going to help because you’re on your feet less,” Duvall said, per The Athletic. “And significantly less. I’m anxious to see how that plays a role in everybody staying healthy.”
This could easily become an experiment gone wrong.