With trade, Boston Red Sox keep trying to fill Bogaerts-sized hole at shortstop

With the Kansas City Royals and Boston Red Sox completing a trade that will send Adalberto Mondesi to Boston, it’s clear that the Red Sox are still trying to figure out not only how to replace Xander Bogaerts in the lineup, but Trevor Story as well.

Adalberto Mondesi trade shows Boston Red Sox still searching for answers

On Tuesday, the Red Sox reportedly acquired the 27-year-old Mondesi and a player to be named later or cash considerations while the Royals received relief pitcher Josh Taylor in exchange. For Boston, Mondesi comes with a long list of injuries during his time in Kansas City (playing in just 358 games over seven seasons) but also brings potential as MLBTradeRumors pointed out in this article.

In 1366 Major League plate appearances, Mondesi has 38 home runs, 54 doubles, 20 triples and 133 stolen bases. He’s also amassed 23 Outs Above Average and a 13.3 Ultimate Zone Rating in 2126 career innings at shortstop.

Those are tantalizing numbers … if Boston can keep him healthy. Those are also numbers that the Red Sox could certainly use in their lineup in the wake of Bogaerts leaving for a big contract with the San Diego Padres and Story undergoing elbow surgery this offseason that will limit his availability for the first part of Boston’s 2023 schedule. Can Mondesi actually provide them for a Red Sox team that finished last in the American League East with a 78-84 mark last season and could be battling to stay out of the division basement again this year?

With Mondesi’s injury history, the question becomes what will be Boston’s backup plan for him in 2023? There has been talk, especially with the recent signing of Adam Duvall, that Enrique Hernandez may see additional time at shortstop this season. That could still evolve into a possibility, depending on how Mondesi performs and for how long.

Boston is taking a chance on Adalberto Mondesi, and the Red Sox are hoping he can provide an answer to the puzzle that has been the shortstop position ever since Xander Bogaerts bolted for the West Coast.