Boston Red Sox retaining Eduardo Nunez – if healthy
By David Hill
The Boston Red Sox are reportedly set to bring back a key depth piece. That is, if he proves to be healthy.
Acquired by the Boston Red Sox at the trade deadline as a bench piece, Eduardo Nunez proved to be a prudent acquisition. He ended up filling in at second when Dustin Pedroia was injured, and posted a stellar .321/.353/.539 batting line with eight homers and six steals in his 173 plate appearances. That production certainly made up for the loss of the Red Sox sparkplug.
Naturally, given his production last year, the Red Sox were interested in bringing Nunez back. That anticipated reunion appears set to happen, provided the utility man can pass a physical.
The Red Sox have an agreement to sign Eduardo Nunez pending physical, but given his ailments of last year, that’s not a slam dunk
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) February 15, 2018
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As referenced above, passing a physical is not a given for Nunez. He has had knee issues in the past, and it is speculated that the troublesome joint may cause a snag in the contract. It is thought that the injury is healed, but his knee caused Nunez to miss time last year, and led to his getting just one plate appearance in the postseason for Boston.
Should he be healthy and the contract is signed, there are questions as to what his role will be. Pedroia is expected to be back early in the 2018 campaign. Rafael Devers appears set to become the Red Sox every day third baseman. Left field and shortstop are already accounted for. It may be tough for Nunez to get playing time.
However, by signing him to a contract, the Red Sox could have another idea in mind. Brock Holt had been their super utility man, but has had trouble staying healthy as well. Holt also has not displayed the form that made him an All Star in 2015 over the past two seasons, as he has produced a mere .237/.316/.337 batting line in his last 158 games. It is possible that Nunez is regarded as an upgrade over their former utility man.
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The Boston Red Sox and Eduardo Nunez are closing in on a reunion. Now, it is a matter of whether or not he is healthy enough to do so.