Red Sox Interested In Jurickson Profar, Elvis Andrus

The Pink Sox had been recognized to be on the lookout for center infield assist even earlier than information broke earlier this week about Trevor Story’s inner brace surgical procedure on his proper elbow, which may maintain the shortstop on the injured record for many (or probably all) of the 2023 season.  Within the wake of Story’s surgical procedure, two names have surfaced on Boston’s radar, as USA At the moment’s Bob Nightengale writes that the Sox have curiosity in each Jurickson Profar and Elvis Andrus.

When it comes to being a alternative for Story at shortstop, Andrus is the cleaner match, because the veteran may merely step proper into an everyday shortstop function.  Aside from 25 video games as a DH, Andrus has completely performed shortstop within the different 1914 video games of his 14-year Main League profession.  Public defensive metrics are slightly blended on Andrus’ glovework (+4.7 UZR/150 and +3 Outs Above Common in 2022, countered by a -4 Defensive Runs Saved rating), however all in all, Andrus nonetheless appears to be like like he can present at the very least acceptable protection even at age 34.

On the plate, Andrus has been inconsistent at greatest over his profession, however he did take pleasure in a variety of success in a late-season cameo with the White Sox in 2022.  Launched by the A’s in August, Chicago signed Andrus as a alternative for the injured Tim Anderson, and Andrus responded with a really stable .271/.309/.464 slash line and 9 house runs over 191 plate appearances with the Pale Hose.  His general 105 wRC+ for the season and his 3.5 fWAR had been Andrus’ highest totals in both class since 2017, and his 17 homers was the second-highest complete of his profession.

Regardless of this good efficiency, there hasn’t been a lot buzz about Andrus on the open market this winter, as groups are maybe extra centered on Andrus’ age, his capability to copy his 2022 numbers, and his extra unspectacular current monitor document earlier than final season — Andrus amassed a modest 4.3 fWAR mixed from 2018-21.  Nonetheless, there was some hypothesis that Andrus’ market wouldn’t actually choose up till the “huge 4” free agent shortstops (Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa, Dansby Swanson) had been off the board, and groups nonetheless in want of shortstop assist may flip to Andrus as extra of a stop-gap choice.

The Pink Sox technically match this description given their lack of Bogaerts, and Boston had proven at the very least some stage of curiosity in such infield commerce targets as Amed Rosario, Paul DeJong, Joey Wendle, and (earlier than he was dealt from the Marlins to the Dodgers) Miguel Rojas.  All of those gamers would’ve been eyed for the shortstop job, because the Sox may’ve then caught to their preliminary plan of utilizing Enrique Hernandez largely in heart discipline, or at the very least as a participant who could possibly be bounced across the diamond relatively than somebody primarily locked right into a shortstop function.

Profar’s addition would create some lineup shuffling, and sure lead to Hernandez getting extra time at quick.  Profar hasn’t performed shortstop since 2018, and whereas he was as soon as a multi-position kind, 2022 marked the primary time that Profar performed completely at one place, because the Padres deployed him solely as a left fielder.  The newly-signed Masataka Yoshida has already been tabbed for left discipline obligation in Fenway Park, so the Pink Sox may transfer Profar (who turns 30 in February) round to the opposite outfield positions, or probably second or first base.

MLBTR projected Profar for a two-year, $20MM deal this winter, and the Yankees and Astros have each proven some curiosity in his providers at numerous occasions this winter.  Two weeks in the past, MLBTR’s Anthony Franco broke down Profar’s potential market and a few groups that may emerge as suits, although the Pink Sox weren’t cited as a result of assumption that Yoshida had crammed the outfield want.  In fact, accidents can immediately carry new groups into the combo, and Profar’s market may additional increase if groups do see him as a candidate for positions past solely left discipline.