Boston Red Sox Interested in Retaining Eduardo Nunez
Eduardo Nunez has been a key part of the Boston Red Sox since being acquired at the trade deadline. The Red Sox are looking to retain the impending free agent beyond this season.
For the second consecutive season, Eduardo Nunez was moved at the trade deadline. Last year, the surprising All Star was moved to the San Francisco Giants as the team looked to solidify their situation at third base. Nunez produced a solid .269/.327/.418 batting line down the stretch for the Giants, stealing 13 bases and hitting four homers in his 50 games. The Giants made the postseason, but Nunez only played a bit part, with three plate appearances in their loss to the Cubs in the NLDS.
The same situation played out again this year. With the Giants struggling, and the Boston Red Sox looking for a solution for their utility man, Nunez was again traded before the deadline. This time, he found himself playing second in the absence of Dustin Pedroia, before returning to that familiar utility role. Despite his place in the lineup, Nunez has been a solid contributor, posting a .319/.351/.534 batting line with eight homers and six steals in Boston.
Given that production, it is not a surprise that the Red Sox would have interest in retaining the utility man. A free agent after the season, Boston is considering offering Nunez a new contract after the season.
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It is a move that would make sense, but also have implication on the rest of the roster. Nunez would be likely be a replacement for Brock Holt, who has been unable to recapture the form that made him in All Star in 2015. He has battled injuries and vertigo since, posting a combined .213/.311/.332 batting line in the past two years. This season has been a disaster, with Holt producing a meager .175/.286/.208 batting line.
In Nunez, the Red Sox have a player with similar versatility. Although he has primarily appeared as a shortstop or third baseman in his career, Nunez does have experience in left and second. He also has more of a proven track record with the bat than Holt, producing an OPS+ over 100 in each of the last three seasons.
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The Boston Red Sox needed to address their utility infielder position at the trade deadline. In acquiring Eduardo Nunez, they may have found a long term solution.