The Boston Red Sox haven’t gotten off to the start they had hoped to have to begin the 2023 season.
Boston entered the campaign optimistic that it would improve upon its 2022 American League East last-place finish but is back in the cellar after 13 games. Although it has been a small sample size, the Red Sox are 5-8 and already have been swept twice this season.
The Red Sox have gotten some unfortunate luck with injuries — most notably being outfielder Adam Duvall — but also have gotten plenty of inconsistent play.
Boston entered the 2023 campaign with question marks in the middle infield and they have been answered in a negative way to begin the season. Enrique Hernandez took over the club’s shortstop position and Christian Arroyo nabbed second base but both have mightily struggled so far this season.
Boston is very thin in the infield as well with Trevor Story and Adalberto Mondesi both out so the club has relied on Yu Chang and Bobby Dalbec on the bench.
The Red Sox reportedly may consider adding another infielder to the mix, but it sounds like the club won’t consider a reunion with José Iglesias despite offseason rumors, according to MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo.
“If the team continues to struggle, don’t be surprised if (Chaim Bloom) and (Brian O’Halloran) go shopping for some infield depth,” Cotillo said. “One option — José Iglesias, who the Marlins sent to Triple-A at the end of camp — isn’t as logical of a fit as many would think. The Sox are down on Iglesias’ defense and, despite his positive impact at the end of the 2021 season, generally don’t think he’s an upgrade at the major league level.”
Iglesias began his big league career with the Red Sox and has had two different stints with the club.
He’s bounced around other teams including the Detroit Tigers and Colorado Rockies but currently is in the Miami Marlins farm system after failing to make the big league club out of spring training.
The 33-year-old may not play at an All-Star level anymore, but he did slash .292/.328/.380 and could play second base, shortstop, or even third base if the club ever needed.
He may not be what he once was, but Hernandez already has tallied five errors and is hitting an abysmal .114. Arroyo hasn’t been much better and is hitting .189 and Chang hasn’t gotten a hit yet this season. At this point even if the Red Sox are down on Iglesias, he couldn’t be much worse than what the club has gotten so far this season.
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