This is part of a new BSJ series, designed to get you ready for spring training. Each day, we'll take a look at a particular position and examine it from the major league level, evaluating depth at the position and looking ahead to some prospects in the minors.
TODAY: SECOND BASE
OVERVIEW: In one sense, the second base position is unchanged for the Red Sox, just as it’s been since 2007. This year, like every season since then, Dustin Pedroia will be the team’s starter at the position. But not right away. Not for Opening Day, and likely, not until late May. Pedroia underwent a major procedure on his left knee last October. Pedroia recently told WEEI his goal was to be in the Opening Day lineup, but that seems entirely unrealistic, given the nature of the procedure. It was only last week, after all, that Pedroia was cleared to begin straight-ahead running. Until Pedroia is available – and likely, for a while afterward, too – the Sox will need some other options at second. They have a number, including Brock Holt, Deven Marrero and Marco Hernandez. Oddly, though the Sox have some bench options to fill in for Pedroia, they never seriously pursued some available free agent options on the market, including Eduardo Nunez, who remains available.
THE STARTER: Dustin Pedroia
CONTRACT STATUS: Signed for $16 million for 2018.
ELIGIBLE FOR FREE AGENCY: After 2021 season.
NOTABLE 2017 STATS: .369 OBP/.392 SLG/.760 OPS. … Walked (49) more times than he struck out (48). … Ranked third in defensive runs saved among major league second basemen. … Committed just two errors in 105 games. … Slugging percentage was second-lowest of career.
ASSESSMENT: When healthy, Pedroia is still a very good second baseman. Problem is, he’s been hampered by injuries (hand, wrist, knee) the last four years, only once playing more than 135 games. The Sox have to be mindful of his age (he’ll be 35 in August) and injury history, and give him time to rest and recover.
THE BACKUP: Brock Holt
CONTRACT STATUS: Avoided arbitration and signed a one-year deal for $2.225 million.
ELIGIBLE FOR FREE AGENCY: After 2019 season.
NOTABLE 2017 STATS: .305 OBP/.243 SLG/.548 OPS. … Missed almost half the year with vertigo. … Made starts at five different positions. …Performance suffered greatly at the plate, with just six extra-base hits and seven RBI in 140 at-bats.
ASSESSMENT: Holt is among the most versatile players in the game, but there are real questions about his career going forward following some concussion/vertigo issues from the last few years. If he were fully healthy, he’d be the no-brainer choice to handle second in Pedroia’s absence. As it is, he’ll have to prove he can stay on the field and earn his roster spot this spring.
THE BACKUP: Marco Hernandez
CONTRACT STATUS: Not arbitration-eligible, salary for 2018 TBD.
NOTABLE 2017 STATS: .300 OBP/.328 SLG/.628 OPS. … Made 18 starts at three infield positions before suffering a season-ending should injury, requiring surgery.
ASSESSMENT: Hernandez, now fully recovered, stands a decent chance to win the second base job with a strong showing in the spring. The Sox have always valued his versatility and offensive upside. He’s athletic and has decent speed.
THE BACKUP: Deven Marrero
CONTRACT STATUS: Not arbitration-eligible, salary for 2018 TBD.
NOTABLE 2017 STATS: .259 OBP/.333 SLG/.593 OPS. … Hit just .211 and had difficulty making contact at times, with 61 strikeouts in just 171 at-bats. … Had .944 OPS against LHP.
ASSESSMENT: Marrero is a superb defender, but likely won’t hit enough to warrant regular playing time – unless the Red Sox envision a platoon at second, with either Holt or Hernandez (or both) sharing the job from the left side.
DEPTH: Ivan DeJesus
CONTRACTUAL STATUS: Minor-league deal.
NOTABLE 2017 STATS: .386 OPS/.451 SLG/.837 OPS.
ASSESSMENT: DeJesus, who was with the Sox briefly following the massive salary dump deal with the Dodgers in '12, then returned in a '14 deal with Baltimore, is on his third stint in the Sox organization. He was signed as a minor league free agent this winter. He enjoyed a good year at Triple-A last season in the Milwaukee system, but he’s limited defensively. He’ll be at Pawtucket in case of emergency.
Esteban Quiroz applies the tag.