Boston Red Sox 2025 Position Analysis: Second Base

26 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Hamilton had a 102 wRC+ against RHP, but a dreadful 43 wRC+ against LHP. They may try to Frankenstein's Monster a 2b out of Hamilton and Romy with their splits as a temporary stop gap until Campbell is fully ready. They may just take their lumps with Campbell? If they are going that route, why not also call up Anthony and fully complete the OF and just go with Duran/Rafaela/Anthony out there? Rip the bandaid off. 

I'm not sure why starting Campbellover a DHam-Romy platoon at 2B should influence the Anthony decision, unless it's about the 40 man roster crunch pushing Brez towards just adding one, and saving other kids for later.

The way the injuries and illnesses are, right now, I think Anthony in RF makes more sense than Campbell at 2B. I'm going to say DHam and Romy "earned" starting slots, but they did look pretty good with the splits in '24. If Abreu is not ready, starting Anthony in RF makes sense, but if Abrei is just out for a few days, we should not add Anthony, unless we are ready to play him FT, once Abreu returns. How does that look?

vs RHP:

LF Duran, CF Anthony, RF Abreu

vs LHP:

LF Refsnyder, CF Duran, RF Anthony

There is no starting slot for Rafaela, this way.

I'm not opposed to starting both Campbell and Anthony over Hamilton and Abreu, because the two prospects are going to be more consistent extra-base threats -- and they may even be this summer.

I am on record saying that Rafaela is playing centerfield and will not be platooned, and there's no going back with Devers at the hot corner. Bregman is the guy as long as he's here, and if he ever opts out, it will now be a lot easier to transition a younger guy to 3B.

7 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Mayer

That's who I was thinking of, because Old Man Story -- or at least his contract -- are here for the next three seasons.

44 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Oh, then you do kind of see my point. Anthony definitely makes sense on the roster right now. If they are going to start Campbell at 2b, they should be starting Anthony as well. 

No.

DHam & Romy are not hurt or coming off a nasty illness.

1. I don't like Ref in RF, but he will likely play there, anyway vs LHPs, even with a healthy Abreu.

2. Ref should not start vs RHPs.

With Anthony, none of this happens. Ref plays LF vs LHPs, with Duran moving to CF. Rafaela becomes the super sub and can play 2B or SS. He further crowds the middle IF, making Campbell less needed.

That being said, I am fine with Campbell getting the call on opening day, but I think they will try and get him (and maybe Anthony, too) the extra year of control. Just my opinion on what Brez chooses.

36 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

 

I am on record saying that Rafaela is playing centerfield and will not be platooned.

If Duran and Anthony play FT OF, and Devers is the FT DH, how can you bench Refsnyder vs LHPs and play Rafaela, instead?

Refsnyder is the 13th best batter vs LHPs over the last 3 years, and we suck vs lefties.

vs LHPs:

LF Refsnyder

CF Duran

RF Anthony

Vs RHPs: Duran, Anthony, Abreu

Rafaela will be the supersub, IMO. Expensive, but he can play CF, RF, 2B and SS.

2 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

If Duran and Anthony play FT OF, and Devers is the FT DH, how can you bench Refsnyder vs LHPs and play Rafaela, instead?

Refsnyder is the 13th best batter vs LHPs over the last 3 years, and we suck vs lefties.

vs LHPs:

LF Refsnyder

CF Duran

RF Anthony

Vs RHPs: Duran, Anthony, Abreu

Rafaela will be the supersub, IMO. Expensive, but he can play CF, RF, 2B and SS.

 

Cora says he's his centerfielder. I think the Sox have made a commitment to their new pitchers to put the best defense out there that's available. Moving Ceddanne all over the place last year was for survival, but when everyone's healthy, Boston needs them in their best spots.

Maybe they're grooming Campbell to be the new Zobrist, because his best spot is in the batter's box.

2 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

If Duran and Anthony play FT OF, and Devers is the FT DH, how can you bench Refsnyder vs LHPs and play Rafaela, instead?

Refsnyder is the 13th best batter vs LHPs over the last 3 years, and we suck vs lefties.

vs LHPs:

LF Refsnyder

CF Duran

RF Anthony

Vs RHPs: Duran, Anthony, Abreu

Rafaela will be the supersub, IMO. Expensive, but he can play CF, RF, 2B and SS.

 

If Anthony is FT, which he should be when he makes the 26 that leaves a Duran, RAF Man, and Anthony OF. That leaves less of a need for Ref Man, and then what to do with Abreu. I see RAF Man being the FT CF not any role player moving around IMO. The less moving around the better it is for the team IMO for all the FT players.

If Refsnyder platoons with anyone, at least early, it will be Abreu, who lost 20 pounds. 

There's a reason they played Rob in rightfield the other day.

21 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Cora says he's his centerfielder. I think the Sox have made a commitment to their new pitchers to put the best defense out there that's available. Moving Ceddanne all over the place last year was for survival, but when everyone's healthy, Boston needs them in their best spots.

Maybe they're grooming Campbell to be the new Zobrist, because his best spot is in the batter's box.

So, we bench GG and better batter Abreu for Rafaela & Anthony?

Duran-Rafaela-Anthony

Bench: Abreu & Ref.

I don't think so.

16 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Refsnyder is RHB off the bench which is a fine role for him. 

How does a team who stunk vs LHPs and got worse losing O'Neal bench the 13th best batter vs LHPs, so rafaela can play FT, or Abreu can bat vs LHPs after a sub .560 season?

It's a draft strategy to pick the best player available, and a draft joke here when the Red Sox always draft shortstops, because that means those guys can play anywhere.

Most fans probably remember the Little League cliche that all the best kids play shortstop when they don't pitch. But nowadays -- in the world of multi-team sports in the same seasons and year-round -- those same players are also all catchers. Why? Because catcher is the hardest position, and only the best ballplayers can handle it.

5 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

So, we bench GG and better batter Abreu for Rafaela & Anthony?

Duran-Rafaela-Anthony

Bench: Abreu & Ref.

I don't think so.

In a few years, your three-man outfield could be the starting unit for the next great Red Sox team (while the other two may not even be playing in Boston). Can you at least envision that possibility?

49 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

In a few years, your three-man outfield could be the starting unit for the next great Red Sox team (while the other two may not even be playing in Boston). Can you at least envision that possibility?

Of course. Ref may retire, after this year. I must have suggested 20 Abreu trades over the winter, because I can see this happening.

Right now, I would never be okay with benching Ref vs LHPs, in fact, I'd bat him top 5 in the line-up- 6th at worst. He is THAT good!

27 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I have Roman Anthony batting instead of Refsnyder playing the field.

I would, too.

I'd have Ref playing over Raf vs LHPs, and Abreu over Raf vs RHPs.

Back to 2B.

IMO, we start the year with DHam and Romy platooning 2B.

I'd be fine with Campbell at 2B FT, but I think Brez holds off a few weeks.

28 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Sounds great in theory, but how many guys are actually good at multiple positions.  Kike at shortstop was a disaster.  Rafaela struggled there too.  

RAF Man said it took him a few games to  adjust on tracking fly balls after moving back to the OF last year too.

49 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Its certainly a cost vs benefit decision that weighs having the best lineup factoring in availability (health), streakiness, and handedness vs ideal defensive alignment.

But there is no debating that the amount of players playing multiple positions is on the rise, and platooning is on the rise (shortening benches), and carrying an extra pitcher is on the rise (again shortening benches) and guys are just moving around more.
 

For sure.

I really like Rafaela, a lot, and I have hopes his offense will improve. How much is the big question. At what he will, in a few years, he should be a starter, but if he can get 450+ PAs at CF, RF, SS and 2B, that would be a very valuable player to have.

Not talking April, 2025, but I think Duran and Anthony will be FT'ers. As long as Abreu is here, he should play vs RHPs. As long as Refsnyder here, he should play vs LHPs. That fills up the OF,without even thinking about Yoshida in LF, if Devers remains the FT DH.

We have 3 guys fifor the 2 middle IF slots: Story, Mayer and Campbell. We have more-than-capable platoon tandem of DHam and Romy as back-ups. Rafaela may be a better option than them, but I doubt he wins an IF job over Campbell, Mayer and Story.

Either someone will need to be traded, or Rafaela will be the super utility guy.

I think we will try to trade Yoshida, assuming he adds some value, this year, or we just dump him, if he doesn't.

Bregman's status in 2026 could make a difference, as 3B could open up for Mayer or Campbell, which could allow Rafaela to play 2B near FT or often.

Then, there are farther away players like Jh garcia,  Romero, Arias, Bleis, Cespedes and others.

Having a surplus of talent is never a bad thing, unless it's among DH only players, but Ref might retire after this year, and Bregman may bolt. Someone may get hurt, not meet expectations or drop off a cliff, which would make the chocies easier, but I think we see some trades, next winter, if not this summer..