Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox have the best record in the American League. That’s despite getting minimal production at one of the dominant offensive positions in the game, first base.
Boston’s regular, Bobby Dalbec, is a rookie and he is finding out that the big leagues demand big production. Dalbec may be great some day, but that day has not yet arrived. For the present, he is a walking fatal flaw. At a power position, he’s hitting .218 with a .656 OPS and just 36 RBIs.
Sox manager Alex Cora has from time to time sought a boost at the position from either Marwin Gonzalez or Danny Santana. His hopes have been in vain. Gonzalez is hitting .205, Santana .171.
As a group red Sox first basemen have delivered -2.5 WAA. That is the worst production by any first base group in MLB this season. In fact only two positions on any teams – Marlins catchers and Royals third basemen – have been less productive in their support of their teams’ pennant prospects.
The rumor is hot that the Red Sox covet Cubs’ first baseman Anthony Rizzo to provide a transfusion down the stretch drive. The Red Sox need Rizzo, a postseason veteran with winning World Series experience, about as badly as any postseason contender needs any player.