Well .. if they don't trade anyone you're looking at a bench of Swihart/Leon, Marrero, Hanley and Brentz.
This isn't exactly very flexible and Marrero as the UT INF would be stretched.
I think they have to trade Hanley .. or release him. Unlike many on this board I do not want Bradley traded. The outfield defense would take a huge hit with JDM in left and Benentendi in CF.
The question of the bench is an interesting one. Because, really, what does the 2017 Red Sox NEED the bench to do, versus what they might want the bench to be able to do.
1) They NEED a backup catcher to play at least 40 full games.
2) They NEED utility players good enough to give defensive positional regulars regular days off, for every infielder and outfielder position.
Is that all they need from the bench? The list of want-to-haves seems to be a lot longer.
A) They should want a slick-fielding infielder with a strong and accurate arm, available to play late innings of any game with the lead — at 3B —due to Devers’ poor arm and suspect range.
B) They should want a RHH 1B able to platoon with Mitch Moreland.
C) They may want a RHH LF able to platoon with Andrew Benintendi, although they may prefer to accept worse production in order to allow him opportunity to develop his bat against MLB LHP.
D) They should want a pinch-runner able to run for either catcher, in the 8th/9th/extras, to tie or win the game.
E) If they land JDM and play him as a LF, they should want a defensive replacement in LF, as with Devers.
F) ???
G) Profit !
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Well, I could only think of 4-5 nice-to-haves, and the list is clearly longer if JDM is signed to play LF. However, regardless where JDM would play, the Sox almost certainly need to have a stronger bench if he’s on the team.
If both JDM and HR are on the team, then either JBJ needs to be traded, or the bench needs to be incredibly flexible. Because while they are two good hitters, they are also two really limited baseball player.
On the other hand, the Sox shouldn’t need a traditional “bat off the bench” for pinch hitting opportunities, especially when Pedroia is back.