Roughly 6 weeks from spring training and the Red Sox have yet to find a DH for the 2024 season with Justin Turner re-entering free agency.
Last season, Turner did a solid job filling those shoes as he was the most consistent right-handed bat with Rafael Devers and Triston Casas anchoring the lineup. Tyler O’Neill and Vaughn Grissom have both been acquired to help from the right side, but the Red Sox are lacking an impact right-handed bat that slots in between Devers and Casas.
Even at this point in the offseason, the Red Sox still can be creative with how they go about replacing Turner. They could pursue an impact right-handed bat that offers stronger defense and pushes Yoshida to DH more often. Or they could go the route of finding someone that can give a breather to Casas or Devers when they need it.
Over the last few weeks, rumors flooded in that the Red Sox were eying Teoscar Hernandez before he signed with the Dodgers. According to Chris Cotillo, they weren’t willing to extend beyond a 2-year deal worth $28 MM, which led to him signing with the Dodgers on a 1-year agreement for $23.5 MM. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic had reported the Red Sox were looking to “tackle other areas of the roster and reduce payroll” before making any type of a commitment.
Free agency as a whole has moved at a snail’s pace, but the position player market has been even worse, with a number of DH alternatives still existing on the market. If the Red Sox are hoping to be relevant in 2024, they need to emphasize adding a bat that takes some pressure off the likes of Trevor Story. Expecting him to help hold down the middle of the lineup right now feels like a major ask considering his offensive struggles since signing in Boston.
Tyler Milliken ⚾️ on Twitter: "Craig Breslow gave some insight into what the Red Sox will be looking for at DH:"On a high level, we'd probably look to give Alex (Cora) as much flexibility as possible... Recognizing that it's a long season and there will be times where he's gonna want to get guys off their... pic.twitter.com/Zs2dYLY0rv / Twitter"
Craig Breslow gave some insight into what the Red Sox will be looking for at DH:"On a high level, we'd probably look to give Alex (Cora) as much flexibility as possible... Recognizing that it's a long season and there will be times where he's gonna want to get guys off their...
Back at the GM Meetings, Breslow emphasized wanting some versatility at the DH spot. If the Red Sox were seriously considering Hernandez as an option in LF (which would’ve kept Yoshida off his feet a bunch more), it shows that they’re just looking for someone they can mix and match with to help keep guys fresh. No need to be Brock Holt or anything like that, but it also crosses off someone like J.D. Martinez who can barely take the field at this point.
So, let’s dive into some DH options that could make sense for the Red Sox, whether they’d share some time with Masataka Yoshida in LF or fill a role that resembles Turner’s in 2023.
1. Jorge Soler, FA
Tyler Milliken ⚾️ on Twitter: "Jorge Soler at Fenway Park in his career:13 Games60 PA/52 AB.269/.356/.519/.8753 HR4 2B138 wRC+If Soler ends up filling the DH role for the Red Sox, Lansdowne Street will become one of the most dangerous places in America.pic.twitter.com/uIefqzzxF1 / Twitter"
Jorge Soler at Fenway Park in his career:13 Games60 PA/52 AB.269/.356/.519/.8753 HR4 2B138 wRC+If Soler ends up filling the DH role for the Red Sox, Lansdowne Street will become one of the most dangerous places in America.pic.twitter.com/uIefqzzxF1
Since the Red Sox missed out on Hernandez last week, Jorge Soler has become everyone’s favorite option to fill those shoes. There’s a reason for that, with multiple reports claiming the Red Sox have been connected to the soon to be 32-year old bat. Hector Gomez of Z101 Digital has even described the Red Sox as “frontrunners” for his services, with the Diamondbacks, Angels, Marlins and Blue Jays also being in on him.
Soler is coming off the second best season of his big league career, after posting a slash line of .250/.341/..512/.853 with 36 homers, 24 doubles, and a 128 OPS+ in 137 games for the Marlins. He only appeared in 42 games in the outfield (all in right field), where he accumulated -3 Outs Above Average. If he were to come to the Red Sox, I could see him taking some of the burden of left field away from Masataka Yoshida, but at this point he’s much closer to a full-time DH.
Along with Soler making a ton of sense as a right-handed bat that has a 48 homer season on his resume, his ability to work walks stands out in a big way. He finished 2023 in the 83rd percentile for BB%, which along with Casas (93rd percentile) should put the team in a strong position to wear pitchers down on a regular basis. That might be helpful with the loss of a professional bat like Turner no longer being around.
It’s going to be interesting to see if Soler can get a team to extend up to 3 years for his services because there’s been a fair share of inconsistency to his game. In 2022, he posted a mediocre 95 OPS+ in 72 contests while battling bilateral pelvis inflammation and lower back spasms. Even in 2021, before going off for the Braves following the trade deadline and winning World Series MVP, his full-season stats were a letdown with just a 99 OPS+.
Truth is, it’s hard not to dream about Soler at Fenway Park with a spray chart like this. Crazy enough, his expected home run total if he played 162 games at Fenway Park last season was only 28. But just like Hunter Renfroe and Adam Duvall in recent years, this feels like a match made in Heaven that could lead to a lot of baseballs landing on Lansdowne Street.
2. Adam Duvall, FA
Tyler Milliken ⚾️ on Twitter: "ADAM DUVALL HOMERS EVERY DAMN NIGHT!7 IN HIS LAST 9 GAMES! pic.twitter.com/eXZvqUg1Sz / Twitter"
ADAM DUVALL HOMERS EVERY DAMN NIGHT!7 IN HIS LAST 9 GAMES! pic.twitter.com/eXZvqUg1Sz
Next up, is old friend Adam Duvall. For those who need a refresher, Duvall signed a 1-year deal with $7 MM with the Red Sox just under a year ago, with hopes of handling center field as Kike Hernandez moved to shortstop with Trevor Story hurt. Unfortunately, a wrist injury cost him most of the first half, but he put together one of his better offensive seasons with a line of a .247/.303/.531/.834 and 21 homers for a 119 OPS+ in 92 games. That 119 OPS+ would’ve been his best mark in any full season of his career, with a lot of damage coming at Fenway Park, where he registered a 137 OPS+.
Feels like another one-year deal could be possible with Duvall in 2024, especially with him entering his age-35 season. Despite playing above his head in center field for a majority of last year (-3 Outs Above Average), he should give them a boost on the defensive side of things in either corner and maybe even help out at 1B. This is another potential path to keeping Yoshida off his feet a lot more as well, with Duvall likely getting a majority of his time in left field if healthy.
While I applauded Soler above for his ability to work walks, that’s not Duvall’s game. He’s going to rack up strikeouts (31.2%) with the best of them and that’s something the Red Sox have already added to the mix this offseason with O’Neill. Not to mention, Red Sox fans rode the highs and lows of Duvall last season, which can be a bit drastic.
For a Red Sox squad badly needing a consistent right-handed bat, it’s fair to wonder if Duvall’s hot and cold streaks will be something they can stomach. It’s not hard to envision Duvall, Story, Wong, and O’Neill all having a K% around or above 30% again. This is the cheapest path ($ or prospects) to Craig Breslow filling the hole, but one that could be costly if the Red Sox miss.
3. Justin Turner, FA
Tyler Milliken ⚾️ on Twitter: "JUSTIN TURNER FOR THE LEAD! 2-RUN BLAST FOR HIS 17TH HOMER OF THE YEAR!IF YOU NEED A BIG HIT, HE DELIVERS! pic.twitter.com/K3scToIulZ / Twitter"
JUSTIN TURNER FOR THE LEAD! 2-RUN BLAST FOR HIS 17TH HOMER OF THE YEAR!IF YOU NEED A BIG HIT, HE DELIVERS! pic.twitter.com/K3scToIulZ
If there’s a fan club for Justin Turner, I’m in it. He was a perfect fit for what the Red Sox needed at DH last season, as he put forth a .276/.345/.455/.800 line and 23 jacks in 146 games for a 114 OPS+. For a majority of the season, he constantly hit behind Devers and was a key fixture in getting runs on the board with 96 RBI.
Initially, the expectation for Turner on the defensive side of things was to give Rafael Devers a breather at third base here and there, while protecting Casas against certain lefties. At age 38, Turner went beyond that and helped fill in at second base before suffering a left heel bruise that hampered him in a big way down the stretch. There were countless tweets after each game that emphasized how much he was hobbling around the clubhouse.
Beyond the contributions on the field, it was clear Turner had a big impact in the clubhouse. Despite it being his first year in Boston, he quickly became the veteran leader on the team and someone Alex Cora could rely on with plenty of youngsters on the team. A year later, there should be more of a veteran presence with Jarren Duran, Casas, Wong, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford all taking big steps forward, but it still feels like that type of voice could have a lot of value.
At the moment, the Red Sox are still lacking some protection at first base and third base like they had a year ago. But with Turner entering his age-39 season and having a solid chance of landing a 2-year deal, it is scary to think about when he’s going to hit a wall. Still, the Mets, Diamondbacks, and Blue Jays have all shown interest in the former Dodger, with Jared Carrabis of Name Redacted saying the Red Sox haven’t even spoken with his representatives.
Maybe things change if Soler ends up falling off the board, but it seems like a Turner reunion is unlikely at this point. Even after becoming a free agent, he spent a majority of the offseason still in Boston and working out at Fenway Park. If the Red Sox are looking at another potential bridge year, he feels like the type of piece that can keep the clubhouse and young guys moving in the right direction, even if it’s clear a deep run in the playoffs isn’t in reach.
4. Rhys Hoskins, FA
Tyler Milliken ⚾️ on Twitter: "Tim Britton lists the Red Sox as one of the 7 teams that could be a fit for Rhys Hoskins.Hoskins from 2020-2022:304 Games - 1300 PA.246/.340/.491/.83167 HR71 2B176 RBI127 OPS+Tore his ACL this spring, but almost made it back for the playoffs. Could spell Casas at 1B. pic.twitter.com/tjwPrKsGWs / Twitter"
Tim Britton lists the Red Sox as one of the 7 teams that could be a fit for Rhys Hoskins.Hoskins from 2020-2022:304 Games - 1300 PA.246/.340/.491/.83167 HR71 2B176 RBI127 OPS+Tore his ACL this spring, but almost made it back for the playoffs. Could spell Casas at 1B. pic.twitter.com/tjwPrKsGWs
2023 was a lost season for Rhys Hoskins, as he tore his ACL at the end of spring training and just missed making it back before the Phillies were eliminated in October. He hasn’t seemed to have a large market this offseason, with the Cubs showing the most interest. Both the Blue Jays and Mariners have also checked-in, but the Phillies have seemingly moved on with Bryce Harper now occupying first base.
Hoskins has never been a primarily DH before, with all of his games in 2022 coming at first base. He more than held his own with the bat in Philadelphia, as he slugged his way to a .246/332/.462/.794 line with 30 homers, 33 doubles, and a 123 OPS+ in 156 games. That would be an upgrade from the production Turner gave you last season, and he could spell Casas from time to time at first base.
I wouldn’t expect to see Hoskins in left field ever again since he last saw action out there in 2018. But even at first base, Hoskins was a rough defender, finishing in the 4th percentile for Outs Above Average in his 2022. If the Red Sox were to sign him, it’d be mostly DH duties, but there is a little bit of versatility Alex Cora could take advantage of.
It seems like Hoskins is looking for a chance to rebuild his value and hit free agency again, so whatever deal he signs won’t have much term. That plays into the Red Sox favor with how they’ve operated this offseason. It’s fair to argue though that he offers the least defensive versatility and impact of anyone on this list.
Did I mention Hoskins is another guy with a spray chart meant for Fenway Park? Not to mention, his ability to draw walks checks off the same exact box as somelike like Soler. I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t rebound in a big way going into his age-31 season.
5. Eloy Jimenez, White Sox
Sox On 35th on Twitter: "Eloy Jimenez goes oppo for his third home run in three games 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tAlaQv2Syd / Twitter"
Eloy Jimenez goes oppo for his third home run in three games 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tAlaQv2Syd
Unlike the first four names on this list, Eloy Jimenez would need to be traded for, which seems right up the White Sox alley as they enter what looks like a lengthy rebuild. Earlier in the offseason, it was reported by ESPN’s Jesse Rogers that teams were calling on Jimenez and Chris Getz reiterated they’d listen on anybody. There’s major injury concerns there, but Jimenez has shown the potential to have the most upside of any name on this list.
Before diving into the numbers, let’s look at Jimenez’s contract situation. Prior to even debuting in the big leagues, the White Sox signed him to a 6-year extension worth $43 MM that also included 2 club options for the 2025 ($16.5 MM) and 2026 ($18.6 MM) seasons. He’s set to earn $13.8 MM in 2024, which should be more than manageable, but if those next two options are going to be picked up, he needs to stay healthy and produce like the 2022 version of himself.
Jimenez looked like the guy so many evaluators dreamt on in 2022, as he mashed with a .295/.358/.500/.858 line and 16 homers for a 141 OPS+ in 84 games. Unfortunately, a torn hamstring tendon behind his right knee in late April cost him a significant portion of the season, but he finished the year on a strong note. Many thought 2023 was going to be a chance for him to put it all together, but that wasn’t the case.
While he was able to stay a bit more healthy with 120 games played, his bat was a lot closer to mediocre, with a 104 OPS+ and his batted ball data taking a significant step back. His Average Exit Velocity and HardHit% were still relatively strong despite small declines, but he saw his Barrel% fall sharply from 14.7% to 9.3%. This was also with extremely limited time in the outfield, with him only appearing in 30 games in LF in 2022 and 14 in 2023.
Truth is, Jimenez just doesn’t fix the White Sox timeline right now. We also know the Red Sox have been active on the trade market for starting pitching, so maybe there’s a potential Dylan Cease package that could include Jimenez and be even bigger. But Breslow isn’t going to want to gut the system anymore than he has to this offseason, so that might scare him from walking down this route, even if they acquire a starter elsewhere.
Plus, whatever team that acquires him should be terrified of ever letting him take the field. It’s scary enough watching him run the basepaths, which hasn’t been a safe exercise for him either. So, that doesn’t really help keep Yoshida or or anyone else off their feet, but the upside here is something you have to ponder if you’re hoping your lineup is going to win you a lot of games.
6. Harold Ramirez, Rays
Talkin' Baseball on Twitter: "Harold Ramirez extends the Rays lead with a bullet home run pic.twitter.com/vqNbulZrvP / Twitter"
Harold Ramirez extends the Rays lead with a bullet home run pic.twitter.com/vqNbulZrvP
Last up, is another trade possibility in Harold Ramirez, who is currently being shopped by the Rays, per Ken Rosenthal. He’s entering his age-29 season and still has 2 seasons of team-control remaining. Yesterday, he wasn’t able to avoid arbitration with the Rays (shocker), but MLBTradeRumors.com predicted a modest $4.4 MM salary for him in 2024.
Ramirez is coming off his strongest big league season yet, with a .313/.353/.460/.813 slash line and 12 homers in 122 games for a 125 OPS+. It’s not a one-season breakout either, with his career transforming since landing with the Rays in 2022, as he hit .300 with a 118 OPS+ in roughly the same amount of games. Plus he brings some serious versatility to the table, as he showed the ability to handle first base and both outfield corners on a part-time basis.
One thing that could complicate a deal is that the Red Sox and Rays are both in the AL East, but both front office heads have shown they’re willing to make a trade if it’s the best offer on the table. It was only a month ago Breslow flipped Alex Verdugo to the Yankees without any fear of being burnt by it. Go back a couple years ago and the Red Sox hooked up on Jeffrey Springs for Ronaldo Hernandez trade.
Still, the return won’t be cheap considering Ramirez’s modest salary. But if the Red Sox are okay shipping some prospect capital off, it’ll make it much easier for them to stay under the $237 MM luxury tax this season. There are plenty of pathways for Breslow and company to fill the loss of Turner, so there’s no excuse to take any shortcuts in the coming weeks.
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