Throughout the offseason, we'll periodically give a detailed look at one position on the Red Sox roster.
Today: Second base
A position that was unsettled since Dustin Pedroia's knee gave out, the Red Sox achieved some stability at second when, in the middle of spring training, they signed Trevor Story to a six-year, $140-million deal. The contract was easily the biggest given out since Chaim Bloom took charge of the team's Baseball Operations.
MAJOR LEAGUE OPTIONS
Trevor Story
Age: Turns 30 this month
Status: Under control for five more seasons
Comment: Story's first year with the Red Sox was an adventure. Signing after spring training had begun, he soon missed time to attend the birth of his first child, and soon after the season began, became ill and missed multiple games. It seemed like it would take forever for Story to settle in. Indeed, he struggled offensively well into May, when he finally hit first homer and something began to click for him. He supplied decent power (16 homers in 357 at-bats), though his batting average was depressed, finishing some 30 points below his career average. He made the transition from shortstop to second remarkably well and probably would have been nominated for a Gold Glove there had he not been limited by injuries to just 94 games, a career low for a full season.
40-MAN ROSTER DEPTH OPTIONS
Christian Arroyo
Age: 27
Status: Arbitration eligible; under control through 2024
Comment: With Story twice sidelined with lengthy IL stays, Arroyo made 35 starts at second (40 games overall) and performed well there, with five defensive runs above average saved. He also slashed .286/.322/.414 with six homers and 36 RBI. Arroyo is a highly valuable utility piece, capable of playing all four infield spots, as well as contributing in the outfield. The one drawback remains his durability, as he had several nagging injuries. His 87 games played represent a career-high. He's best utilized as a versatile player off the bench.
Jeter Downs
Age: 24
Status: Remains under control for six more seasons.
Comment: For the second straight year, Downs struggled mightily at Triple-A, once again hitting below .200 (.197) while failing to make consistent contact (99 strikeouts in 81 games). He did slow flashes of power with 16 homers, he had just 11 doubles and slugged only .412. Downs got a major league promotion in the middle of the year when injuries struck the parent club's roster, but failed to make much of an impact in 14 games (.427 OPS). Downs may be a good baserunner (he's 36-for-43 in stolen base attempts the last two seasons in Worcester) and a decent infielder, but at this point, it's hard to envision him contributing in any significant way at the major league level.
Yu Chang
Age: 27
Status: Arbitration-eligible; under control through 2024
Comment: A late-season waiver claim for the Sox, Chang moved all over the infield in the final month. He showed decent pop with the bat in 2021 (nine homers), but has yet to provide any offensive consistency at the big league level. At this point, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him non-tendered, as he's yet to prove that he's anything beyond a journeyman utility infielder.
MINOR LEAGUE INVENTORY
Nick Yorke: A first-round pick of the Red Sox in 2020, Yorke is seen as a bat-first second baseman. He started poorly in 2022 and dealt with some injuries issues, but had a better finish to his season and is now performing well in the Arizona Fall League. Somewhat limited defensively but not a liability, it's thought that his bat will carry him wherever he plays.
Enmanuel Valdez: Acquired in the trade that sent Christian Vazquez to Houston, Valdez has a strong hit tool, with 17 homers in 82 games at two Triple A stops last year. There's some question about where he'll slot in defensively -- he played some outfield and first base last season, too -- but for now, he projects as either potential starter at second or a super-utility piece with some power.
David Hamilton: Part of the return in the Hunter Renfroe-Jackie Bradley Jr. swap, Hamilton has plus-plus speed. Hamilton, too, is limited defensively, with stiff actions at second and might be better suited, long-term, in the outfield where his speed could be put to good use. But on the bases, Hamilton is a marvel, having stolen 70 bases in 78 tried at Double-A Portland. The trick will be 1) getting him to hit the ball on the ground more often and 2) finding a place for him to play.
Chase Meidroth: A fourth-round pick of the Sox last July, Meidroth is a potentially advanced defender at second. He doesn't have a lot of power, but makes consistent contact and has an advanced approach at the plate with good knowledge of the strike zone.
FREE AGENT TARGETS: Does not apply.
TRADE TARGETS: Does not apply.