Elvis Andrus best option at short for desperate Boston Red Sox

It’s closing time at the shortstop bar and the Boston Red Sox are looking for a partner.

They had been rebuffed by their primary option. Xander Bogaerts was offered several long term extensions, but none of them came close to what he received in free agency. Trevor Story was the fallback plan, the number in their little black book that was already on board. Then he needed elbow surgery and will be out for a significant portion of the season.

Boston Red Sox have no other choice than Elvis Andrus

In theory, the Red Sox can still fill this opening internally. Enrique Hernandez could slot in at short, but that would leave a void in center. Hernandez may also be needed at second since that is also a desperate situation. The Red Sox need somebody, any body. Enter Elvis Andrus.

He is certainly not the most attractive option at the position. Andrus had been a subpar player by any metric from 2018 through 2021. However, he managed to get himself back together last season, producing a .249/.303/.404 batting line with 17 homers and 32 doubles in his 577 plate appearances. He was even passible defensively, costing his teams just four runs at short all season.

The Red Sox need a stopgap. They need someone that can fill that void in their lineup until their long term option is ready to return. Andrus can be that rebound player, serving as the bridge between Bogaerts and Story.

Andrus could also be a part of the future, although tangentially. If he has a strong showing in the first half of the season, and the Red Sox end up being out of contention as they are expected to be, he could be a trade chip. A younger option could head back to their system, with another team using Andrus for the moment.

The Boston Red Sox are running out of options and time at shortstop. Elvis Andrus may be the best choice this late in the offseason.