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What extending Enrique Hernandez could mean for the 2023 Red Sox

By Tatiana Snedeker

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 02: Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox runs to first base during the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park on September 02, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Rutherford/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 02: Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox runs to first base during the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park on September 02, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Rutherford/Getty Images) /
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After a relatively successful 2021 season, the Boston Red Sox have highly underperformed this season by falling behind the Orioles for last place in the AL East. With 2023 in mind the franchise has extended Enrique Hernandez for a 1 year 10$ MM contract.

It’s understandable that the Red Sox would want to hold onto a center fielder as there are limited players who can efficiently play the position. Hernandez can also be used as a utility player, with the 31-year-old bouncing around the infield and outfield during his career.

Boston Red Sox have plans for Enrique Hernandez in 2023

The part that is confusing is the haste for the Red Sox to extend the Puetro Rican native considering he’s posted a .220/.282/.355 batting split with only six home runs over the 70 games he’s played so far this season.

Realistically even if Hernandez isn’t producing offensively he still has the potential to be an asset defensively posting 14 defensive runs saved in 2021 in the outfield. Hernandez has been battling a hip injury this season which has limited his games played as well as defensive output which hopefully can improve going into next season. There is a sense of scarcity regarding center fielders going into 2023 so a short contract with Hernandez seems to be a good move for the Red Sox, leaving room to pursue a big-name free agent or two during the off-season.

Offensive production is not where the Red Sox have struggled in 2022, tied for 4th in the majors with a team batting average of .258. According to Hernandez, Red Sox general manager, Chaim Bloom has promised the veteran player that the Red Sox will be “way better” in the 2023 season with Alex Cora explaining that they really should be better despite having a lot to do during the off-season, per NESN’s Scott Neville.

Next. Hernandez paraphrasing 2023 comments. dark

In order to do so, the Red Sox are going to have to figure out what to do with Chris Sale and acquire a couple of functional pitchers both regarding starters and the bullpen. Whether the Red Sox figure out how to perform well in 2023 is still up in the air, but Hernandez will be a part of it either way.

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