David Hamilton Optioned To Worcester In Anticipation Of Alex Bregman Returning From Injury

[Nick John]

With the need to open up a roster spot for the eventual activation of Alex Bregman from the injured list, the Boston Red Sox are optioning David Hamilton to Worcester per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.

Hamilton, who has appeared in 61 games this season has struggled at the plate after putting up a respectable 2024 season that was cut short by injury. This season the speedy infielder has managed to hit only .179/.229/.276 in 123 at-bats. He also has three doubles, three home runs and 12 RBIs to go along with 15 stolen bases in 18 attempts.

With Bregman likely being activated for Friday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays it seemed that either Hamilton or rookie infielder Marcelo Mayer were going to be optioned back to Worcester. In the end the team decided to hold onto Mayer due to his fantastic defense at third base, shortstop and second base along with his timely hitting.

Bregman’s addition will be a huge addition to an offense that has been on a roll and helped propel Boston onto a seven-game winning stream and having won nine of their last 10 games.

Do you think the Red Sox optioned the right player? Should Mayer be in Worcester getting everyday at-bats? Leave your thoughts below in the comments.

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[moonslav59]

Mayer should still get everyday ABs. No need to platoon him. FT 2B.

Romy-Toro platoon at 1B.

Ref-Yoshida platoon at DH.

The tough question is OF:

Duran LF

Rafaela CF

Abreu RF v R

Anthony RF v L and maybe some CF vs R and LF v L & R, some DH. Just not enough ABs for him.

We should make a trade, this weekend.

 

[Hitch]

Mayer is going to keep getting platooned. Which means Toro is going to start every day. Which really isn't good.

[cp176]

5 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Mayer should still get everyday ABs. No need to platoon him. FT 2B.

Romy-Toro platoon at 1B.

Ref-Yoshida platoon at DH.

The tough question is OF:

Duran LF

Rafaela CF

Abreu RF v R

Anthony RF v L and maybe some CF vs R and LF v L & R, some DH. Just not enough ABs for him.

We should make a trade, this weekend.

 

I agree entirely with respect to Mayer.  I’m flummoxed how it could have even been a discussion point about which of these two guys was going to be optioned back to Worcester.  Mayer should start play and stay.  

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

7 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

The tough question is OF:

Duran LF

Rafaela CF

Abreu RF v R

Anthony RF v L and maybe some CF vs R and LF v L & R, some DH. Just not enough ABs for him.

We should make a trade, this weekend.

There's no question regarding Anthony; he'll play every day.

The real question since last winter (at least on this board): if the Red Sox trade an outfielder, will it be Duran or Abreu?

All three have their share of strikeouts with K-rates over 23%, but while Anthony adjusts to big league pitchers and umpires (egomaniacs who need to show rookies who's in charge), he doesn't chase. Duran can't lay off high fastballs, while Abreu flails at lefty sliders.

But all have talents that can help a team win, and I wouldn't trade any of them now unless it's for equivalent talent that fills other holes for a postseason drive this year.

[mvp 78]

This is the one move that has brought me back in. 

[jgar658]

Duran or Abreu get traded.  It all depends on who brings the better pitcher/starter.

If the return is equal for both perhaps it is best to keep Abreu as he is very cheap and has lots of control.   And who knows? Abreu may have his best years ahead of him?

 

I am almost certain it will be Duran.

 

Trade Bregman for pitching (assuming he is not staying in Boston).

[notin]

3 hours ago, cp176 said:

I agree entirely with respect to Mayer.  I’m flummoxed how it could have even been a discussion point about which of these two guys was going to be optioned back to Worcester.  Mayer should start play and stay.  

I think the only way Mayer would be optioned is if Romy became the everyday 2b, which makes some sense while he’s hot but certainly not long term.  Hamilton is the smart move.

I agree in letting Mayer play every day and keeping the platoons at 1b and RF…

[Soxlover]

Romy should platoon 1B as Toro should not play v L..

I’m 100% for Mayer FT at 2B. Romy could rest Mayer a game or two vs L. It’s Anthony’s playing time that is  complicated.

[drewski6]

41 minutes ago, Soxlover said:

Romy should platoon 1B as Toro should not play v L..

I’m 100% for Mayer FT at 2B. Romy could rest Mayer a game or two vs L. It’s Anthony’s playing time that is  complicated.

It feels right now like Romy is too hot to bench and that plus Yoshida and Breg returning, Toro is about to get squeezed.

[notin]

6 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

It feels right now like Romy is too hot to bench and that plus Yoshida and Breg returning, Toro is about to get squeezed.

Toro might get squeezed, but no one coming back has played 1b…

[mvp 78]

5 minutes ago, notin said:

Toro might get squeezed, but no one coming back has played 1b…

No, anything but squeezing out Toro!

He's been so good for the past month!

[notin]

4 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

No, anything but squeezing out Toro!

He's been so good for the past month!

Hey I’ve been advocating (somewhat) for 4’3” Andrew Vaughn.

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/andrew-vaughn-683734?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb

[drewski6]

16 minutes ago, notin said:

Toro might get squeezed, but no one coming back has played 1b…

Well, right now his problem is Romy (vs righties). Also, its not like Devers is the only guy who can be told to work on 1b.

[drewski6]

5 minutes ago, notin said:

Hey I’ve been advocating (somewhat) for 4’3” Andrew Vaughn.

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/andrew-vaughn-683734?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb

Why not Yoshida then? Why not Duran?

[notin]

9 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Well, right now his problem is Romy (vs righties). Also, its not like Devers is the only guy who can be told to work on 1b.

Duran should have been already IMO.  He’s a lousy outfielder and a former infielder.  
 

 

[notin]

13 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Why not Yoshida then? Why not Duran?

Yoshida at 1b?

He’s like 5’1”!

I actually did advocate for Duran.  But for a while it looked like 4’2” Andrew Vaughn was an easy and possibly undervalued trade target from a tanking team.  But he has since moved on to a team that felt similarly.

I think by the end of the month the Sox will trade Duran and acquire a full time starting 1b. And these will probably be two separate moves…

[mvp 78]

4 minutes ago, notin said:

Yoshida at 1b?

He’s like 5’1”!

I actually did advocate for Duran.  But for a while it looked like 4’2” Andrew Vaughn was an easy and possibly undervalued trade target from a tanking team.  But he has since moved on to a team that felt similarly.

I think by the end of the month the Sox will trade Duran and acquire a full time starting 1b. And these will probably be two separate moves…

Masa has already practiced at 1b. Duran hasn't. Anything is better than the idea of putting Mayer over there, as was suggested previously. 

[Maxbialystock]

11 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Mayer should still get everyday ABs. No need to platoon him. FT 2B.

Romy-Toro platoon at 1B.

Ref-Yoshida platoon at DH.

The tough question is OF:

Duran LF

Rafaela CF

Abreu RF v R

Anthony RF v L and maybe some CF vs R and LF v L & R, some DH. Just not enough ABs for him.

We should make a trade, this weekend.

 

Pretty much what you've said all along.  I say trade Duran, not Abreu, but am happy to let Breslow figure it out.  Abreu is 3 yrs younger, a better outfielder, and a better hitter.  Duran's speed and daring make him more fun to watch.  

To date the Sox have surprisingly (to me) hit lefties better than righties, OPS .797 vs. .748.  But they have 2323 AB's vs righties and just 964 vs lefties.  

All 4 Rays starters this week are righties and the Sox individual OPS's vs righties are:  Yoshida 2.333, Bregman .915, Duran .849, Abreu .849, Anthony .831, Toro .816, Mayer .770, Rafaela .761, Narvaez .748, Gonzalez .713, Story .681, Refsnyder .650, Wong .334.  

We know Rafaela is an everyday player, so it's interesting that Duran, Abreu, and Anthony have very similar OPS's vs righties.  Yoshida's one game OPS makes it even trickier.  

Last night the Sox 4 hits were:  1 by Anthony, 1 by Mayer, and 2 by Rafaela.  

[Maxbialystock]

1 hour ago, Soxlover said:

Romy should platoon 1B as Toro should not play v L..

I’m 100% for Mayer FT at 2B. Romy could rest Mayer a game or two vs L. It’s Anthony’s playing time that is  complicated.

I think both Cora and Breslow want Anthony to play every day.  If Ref/Yoshida own DH and Rafaela owns CF, that means Duran or Abreu drops out.   In just 28 games Anthony's WAR is already +1.1.  

[Maxbialystock]

24 minutes ago, notin said:

Yoshida at 1b?

He’s like 5’1”!

I actually did advocate for Duran.  But for a while it looked like 4’2” Andrew Vaughn was an easy and possibly undervalued trade target from a tanking team.  But he has since moved on to a team that felt similarly.

I think by the end of the month the Sox will trade Duran and acquire a full time starting 1b. And these will probably be two separate moves…

I see absolutely no need for a full time 1b when the biggest need is pitching.  Toro/Gonzalez have been a godsend replacing Casas, who stunk for 29 games.  

For that matter, I'm also against dumping Wong.  His hitting stinks, but his defense is good, he knows this pitching staff, and he only plays in 1/3 of the games.  

[notin]

37 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

I see absolutely no need for a full time 1b when the biggest need is pitching.  Toro/Gonzalez have been a godsend replacing Casas, who stunk for 29 games.  

For that matter, I'm also against dumping Wong.  His hitting stinks, but his defense is good, he knows this pitching staff, and he only plays in 1/3 of the games.  

Toro has not been a godsend of late, and his history and BABIP strongly suggest he will not be one again anytime soon.  Romy is insanely hot right now, but again, reality will set in.  I’d think a 1b is likely.

Im not sure why “pitching is the biggest need” matters.  It’s not like MLB only allows teams to make a limited number of deadline trades.  And any prospect dealt for a rental 1b probably wouldn’t bring back a pitcher anyone wanted anyway.  It feels more like a way to deflect unwanted conversations…

[drewski6]

20 minutes ago, notin said:

Toro has not been a godsend of late, and his history and BABIP strongly suggest he will not be one again anytime soon.  Romy is insanely hot right now, but again, reality will set in.  I’d think a 1b is likely.

Im not sure why “pitching is the biggest need” matters.  It’s not like MLB only allows teams to make a limited number of deadline trades.  And any prospect dealt for a rental 1b probably wouldn’t bring back a pitcher anyone wanted anyway.  It feels more like a way to deflect unwanted conversations…

Even with Toro cooling off, we have too many good players for me to want a 1b. People are telling me that we cant keep both Duran and Abreu because a) one can be moved for a pitcher and b) not enough spots for both

But I see a path to keeping both and still getting that pitcher.  We dont NEED to subtract from strong areas to address weak areas.  What has been holding this team back is too directionless. Make up your mind if this is a go for it year.

If it is , you do NOT trade Duran or Abreu because you are worried about long term.  Mayer only playing 70% of the time for 2 months is not going to ruin him. Its not like Abreu and Duran are upcoming FA. If you are ready to ship out Duran instead of Campbell you are hurting the team for the next 2-3 years but better off 3 yrs down the road. Is that where we are? And dont give me the hopium (not you but others) but dont tell me that Mayer and Campbell will be studs next year. We dont know.

Enough kicking the can down the road.  Enough trying to prioiritize so many things that you prioritize nothing.  Right now, our focus should be 2025. Thats Mayer playing against righties only (if at all), thats shipping KC out for Ryan. Thats keeping Duran and Abreu because otherwise you are not only hurting 2025, you are also hurting 2026 and 2027.

vs righties:
Duran (1b or DH , dont care)
Anthony (OF)
Bregman (3B)
Abreu (OF)

Story (SS)

Yoshida (1B or DH , dont care)

Nav (C)
Mayer (2B)
Cedanne (OF)

Bench: Toro, Romy, Wong, Refsnyder

Vs lefties:
Romy (lead off, 2B)
ANthony (OF)
Bregman (3B)
Refsnyder (DH)

Story (SS)

Nav (C)

Abreu (OF)
Duran(1B)

Cedanne (OF)

Bench: Mayer, Yoshida, Wong, Toro

Rotation: Crochet, Ryan, Giolitto, Bello, Dobbins

This can be our core for the next 3 years. And you can continue to tweak it.  Mayer gets hot, great, move Romy to 1b and play him everyday. Yoshida gets hurt or struggles? Fine, Toro gets back in vs righties. Duran continues to struggle against lefties, fine save him to pinch run in playoffs.  You have depth here.

And I really dont think that the defensive differential at 1b between duran or whomever we have there vs someone who has done it before is that big.

[drewski6]

sorry for the weird spacing and formatting.

[mvp 78]

2 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Even with Toro cooling off, we have too many good players for me to want a 1b. People are telling me that we cant keep both Duran and Abreu because a) one can be moved for a pitcher and b) not enough spots for both

But I see a path to keeping both and still getting that pitcher.  We dont NEED to subtract from strong areas to address weak areas.  What has been holding this team back is too directionless. Make up your mind if this is a go for it year.

If it is , you do NOT trade Duran or Abreu because you are worried about long term.  

They don't really have to give up all that much to get a 1b. Across the league, 1b isn't really a highly prioritized position of need so the price tends to be low. 

Schwarber for Aldo Ramirez (equivalent is Paez)

2024 deadline: Josh Bell dealt for PTBNL, Justin Turner traded for RJ Schreck (29th ranked Mariners prospect)

2023 deadline: Josh Bell traded for Segura (released immediately)/Watson, Carlos Santana traded for Jhonny Severino (12 games in FCL at the time)

If Abreu or Duran is being dealt, it's for a long term, high ceiling asset and not a 1b. 

[Soxlover]

4 hours ago, drewski6 said:

It feels right now like Romy is too hot to bench and that plus Yoshida and Breg returning, Toro is about to get squeezed.

He should only start v R anyway. Minor squeeze.

[Maxbialystock]

3 hours ago, notin said:

Toro has not been a godsend of late, and his history and BABIP strongly suggest he will not be one again anytime soon.  Romy is insanely hot right now, but again, reality will set in.  I’d think a 1b is likely.

Im not sure why “pitching is the biggest need” matters.  It’s not like MLB only allows teams to make a limited number of deadline trades.  And any prospect dealt for a rental 1b probably wouldn’t bring back a pitcher anyone wanted anyway.  It feels more like a way to deflect unwanted conversations…

The Sox have been hitting well with Gonzalez/Toro at 1b and without Bregman or Devers.  

The Giants, meanwhile, have taken on Devers big salary so far have very little to show for it.

The Sox have 13 lineup players and all are contributing--even Wong with his lousy hitting but good defense and knowledge of the pitching staff.

The Sox have 13 pitchers, and at least 5 are not contributing.  

[moonslav59]

There has been no talk of Duran at 1B, and as far as I know, no practice there.

If he could just play one notch above Casas' D at 1B and near what Toro is giving us, it would solve a major roster/line-up issue and keep our line up strong and deep.

It makes too much sense to happen. (It took us 5 years to force the issue on Devers, then we botched it.)

1. Duran 1B v R/ LF v L

2. Bregman 3B

3. Abreu v R (RF)/Romy v L (1B)

4. Story SS

5. Anthony LF v R/RF v L

6. Narvaez C

7. Yoshida v L (DH)/ Refsnyder v L (DH)

8. Mayer 2B

9. Rafaela CF

[notin]

8 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

There has been no talk of Duran at 1B, and as far as I know, no practice there.

If he could just play one notch above Casas' D at 1B and near what Toro is giving us, it would solve a major roster/line-up issue and keep our line up strong and deep.

It makes too much sense to happen. (It took us 5 years to force the issue on Devers, then we botched it.)

1. Duran 1B v R/ LF v L

2. Bregman 3B

3. Abreu v R (RF)/Romy v L (1B)

4. Story SS

5. Anthony LF v R/RF v L

6. Narvaez C

7. Yoshida v L (DH)/ Refsnyder v L (DH)

8. Mayer 2B

9. Rafaela CF

The talk of Duran to 1b, while a good idea, appears to have originated on this board.  I don’t think the Sox have any such intentions…

[moonslav59]

26 minutes ago, notin said:

The talk of Duran to 1b, while a good idea, appears to have originated on this board.  I don’t think the Sox have any such intentions…

I agree. They'd have tried it, by now, if they had any hopes he could fill the 1B role while loosening up the OF logjam with one move.