Should Red Sox Trade For This $182M Shortstop Amid Report Of Right-Handed Bat Search?
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Should Red Sox Trade For This $182M Shortstop Amid Report Of Right-Handed Bat Search? originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Red Sox are reportedly looking for a right-handed bat to add to their lineup, and the San Francisco Giants may have one for them.
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The Giants have been underwhelming this season, but unlike the American League, the National League will be tough to claw back into contention in. The Giants have the worst record in the NL entering play on Wednesday. The Red Sox, despite their woes, entered play on Wednesday just four games back of a wild-card spot.
According to ESPN's Buster Olney, during an appearance on the "Just Baseball Show," the Red Sox are not giving up just yet and are pursuing a right-handed bat. Olney also noted that they are willing to take on a bad contract to add a righty. Would Willy Adames make sense for the Red Sox?
Well, the Red Sox already have a shortstop, but Adames could slide over to second base. Or the Red Sox could move Trevor Story over to second base. Regardless, it would take Marcelo Mayer, who is still trying to find his footing, out of the everyday lineup and put him in a platoon at third base.
Adames started off slow, but he is heating up, and when he's going well, he is one of the best shortstops in the game. He has a .759 OPS in his career and 189 home runs. His OPS in his final season in Milwaukee was .794. He then went to the Giants on a seven-year, $182 million deal. He had a .740 OPS last season, but his decline in numbers is not a shock.
He went from playing half of his games at American Family Field to playing at Oracle Park, which is a much tougher venue to hit in. Still, he became the first Giants player since Barry Bonds in 2004 to hit 30 home runs. Adames had a .292/.325/.504 slash line last month and has nine home runs on the season.
Since 2020, he has hit the most home runs among shortstops in baseball. The Giants are heading toward being sellers, and not many teams are going to be willing to take on Adames' contract. If the Red Sox are willing to take on his expensive deal, he is the kind of bat who could change their offense.
It's rare for a shortstop to have the kind of power he has, and he could benefit greatly from playing at a hitter-friendly ballpark like Fenway Park. He is also regarded as one of the best clubhouse presences in the game. He may be expensive, but worth it.
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