The Boston Red Sox just gave themselves a whole lot of roster flexibility.
The Sox on Friday reportedly reached a deal with uber-versatile veteran Kiké Hernández, who had spent the last six years with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Used mostly as a second baseman, Hernández can play anywhere on the field except pitcher and catcher.
And for a Red Sox team that will value versatility, Hernández gives them plenty of it.
So, here’s where the Red Sox’s depth chart stands.
Catcher
Christian Vazquez, Kevin Plawecki
First base
Bobby Dalbec, Michael Chavis
Second Base
Kiké Hernández, Christian Arroyo
Third base
Rafael Devers
Shortstop
Xander Bogaerts
Jonathan Arauz
Left Field
Andrew Benintendi
Center Field
Alex Verdugo
Right Field
Hunter Renfroe
Designated Hitter
J.D. Martinez
Since Hernández can play the outfield, Martinez no longer is the de facto fourth outfielder. The Red Sox also have some depth in Dalbec and Chavis, as Dalbec also can play third, as can Chavis — who also can play second.
Against a right-handed pitcher, the Red Sox lineup as it stands now probably will look something like this.
Alex Verdugo, CF
Rafael Devers, 3B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
J.D. Martinez, DH
Hunter Renfroe, RF
Bobby Dalbec, 1B
Christian Vazquez, C
Kiké Hernández, 2B
Andrew Benintendi, LF
As for a potential left-handed lineup, Arroyo can crush left-handed pitching, and that’s Hernández’s preferred matchup, too. Meanwhile, Benintendi has been worse against southpaws than righties.
That could look something like this.
Alex Verdugo, CF
Rafael Devers, 3B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
J.D. Martinez, DH
Hunter Renfroe, LF
Bobby Dalbec, 1B
Christian Vazquez, C
Christian Arroyo, 2B
Kiké Hernández, RF
A lot of balls remain in the air here, so this is a rough estimate. A lot can change. But the framework Chaim Bloom seems to have in mind for his roster construction is coming increasingly into focus.
