Boston Red Sox eyeing Eduardo Nunez to solve third base problem
By Kyle Cardoza
Boston sits in first place in the AL East despite not boasting a typical Red Sox style of offense. But even with the offensive success, the third base situation has been dreadful. Cue Eduardo Nunez, possibly the best third baseman still on the trade market.
Somewhere about 1,073 miles away from Boston, Travis Shaw is laughing and having the time of his life.
The Red Sox sent the young third baseman to the Milwaukee Brewers last season to strengthen their bullpen, hoping that a new-and-improved Pablo Sandoval could hold down the position. The idea looked like a good one – the Panda hit .338 with five homers and 20 RBI in Spring Training.
It’s safe to say the plan didn’t work out.
Boston has slotted seven different players at third base this year alone and has received next to nothing from them at the plate. The most productive third baseman so far is arguably Devin Marrero, who sports an ugly .221 average with 20 RBI in 46 games.
The front office finally declared an end to the Sandoval experiment, releasing the veteran Wednesday. But a gaping hole remains at the hot corner, and president Dave Dombrowski isn’t going to sit idly by and do nothing.
Eduardo Nunez could be the knight in shining armor for the Red Sox, who currently sit atop the AL East by three games.
The San Francisco Giants won’t be competing for a playoff spot until at least 2018. And with Nunez’s contract expiring after this year, general manager Bobby Evans wants to reinforce a depleted farm system.
The Boston #Redsox, desperately searching for a third baseman, have their eye on #SFGiants Eduardo Nunez, who has been made available.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 19, 2017
Boston has the tools to obtain the utility player, and San Francisco will likely look into the troupe of young pitchers the AL club possesses. Before this year, 22 of the Sox’ top 30 prospects were pitchers, per MLB.com.
Nunez should be worth it. He’s essentially recreated his 2016 season on paper – few strikeouts, high batting average, flashes of power here and there. He’s battled a hamstring injury for the past month, but still boasts a .297 average with 19 doubles and 14 stolen bases.
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The Dominican won’t be joining a typical Boston offense if he gets dealt. This year has been different.
Power typically carries the squad each year, but so far the Red Sox rank lower than usual in those categories – 23rd in slugging percentage and 26th in home runs. Yet the team still ranks in the top 10 in runs scored.
Nunez would add to the lineup’s versatility. He can contribute anywhere in the order, whether it’s in the leadoff spot or at the bottom of the order. And he would be an upgrade fielding-wise, as Boston’s third basemen have committed the most errors in the league at that position.
The Red Sox aren’t in need of a miracle. But with Todd Frazier out of the trade conversation, adding Nunez to the club would be as good a fit as Cinderella’s glass slipper compared to other players.
It seems like only a matter of time before “Dealing Dave” pulls the trigger, as Nunez is the biggest trade target for the team as of now.
Next: Mariners grab Phelps in five-player deal
If only he had kept Shaw around. Then the problem could have been avoided. Shaw doesn’t seem to be complaining though.