Besides finding another reliever, third base is a need — offensively speaking only — that the Red Sox appear set in filling in the two weeks remaining before the trading deadline.
Todd Frazier of the White Sox could very well be that guy they trade for but according to an American League source familiar with the Red Sox’ thinking, the ballclub is scouting and doing its due diligence on at least six other third basemen/infielders.
Those players are: New York Mets T.J. Rivera and Asdrubal Cabrera, Pittsburgh’s David Freese and Josh Harrison, San Francisco’s Eduardo Nunez and Miami’s Martin Prado.
Of the seven names, Frazier, 31, checks more boxes — offense, defense, remaining contract, intangibles — than any of them. What’s wrong with Frazier is that he is not hitting at all this season and offense is what the Red Sox are thirsting for above all else.
After yesterday’s 0-for-4, Frazier’s slash line dropped even lower to .207/.328/.432 on the season. He does have 16 homers, with six of them coming last month. He hit 40 last year, 35 the year before.
Will Frazier, who over the course of his career has been a substantially better first-half hitter (.825 vs. 719 OPS), be able to reverse his short- and long-term course at the plate while being under scrutiny for a contender in a new city?
That question’s not an automatic “yes,” which is only one reason why the club is still looking at other options. Also, the Red Sox are one of the only contenders looking for a third baseman. This only helps their bargaining position with determined sellers potentially having to decrease their asking price.
With Brock Holt back on the scene to platoon at the hot corner and Rafael Devers, the third baseman of the future, just beginning his Triple-A career, the Red Sox have internal options that will make them look long and hard before making just any old deal to help the position.
Besides Frazier, there are other options.
The Mets are selling and while the rookie Rivera, 28 years old, is having a strong rookie season (.303/.348/.454) New York may have little incentive to ship him considering he has five controllable years left.
Cabrera, 31 years old like Frazier, is having a solid offensive season — .250/.333/.408 — playing mostly shortstop and second base. A good switch-hitter with more pop hitting from the left side, Cabrera is also, like Frazier, a free agent after this season. He is making substantially less: $8.25 million this year versus Frazier’s $12 million.
One significant red flag: Cabrera’s defensive prowess has been fading for a couple years now. That, and he’s only played one game at third base in his MLB career.
Freese is another proven veteran at third base, three years older than both Frazier and Cabrera, but he is signed through next year at a relative bargain price of $4.25 million after earning $6.25 million this season. He’s battling a hamstring injury, and is hitting .245/.376/.364 with six homers and eight doubles in 220 at-bats. His defense is still good.
Harrison, a two-time All-Star including this season, is arguably the most intriguing name on the list and would be difficult to pry out of Pittsburgh. A versatile defender — second base is his best position, plus he can play both corner outfield positions — he is hitting .273/.352/.424 this season. He does not hit for much power but he has decent speed and his on-base percentage is helped by being hit by a pitch a major league high 20 times this season.
Nunez, the 30-year-old former Yankee, was just activated off the disabled list (hamstring) and is having a good season at the plate for the Giants, hitting close to .300. He does not hit for power. Defensively, he’s below average at third base but does offer plenty of versatility by being able to play both middle infield positions as well as left field. He’s making only $4.2 million this year and is a free agent next year.
Bringing Prado here would make little economic sense, given that he is owed the balance of $11.5 million this year, $13.5 million next year and $15 million in 2019. He is 33 years old and can also play second base. While his defense is rated as very good, it’s been in decline in recent years. His offense has been pretty poor this year, with two home runs and hitting .254/.283/.362. His chief drawing card at this point appears to be that he is considered to be an excellent teammate.
Being a good clubhouse presence probably isn’t good enough for this team at this time.
In two weeks, we’ll probably find out just what the determining factors are for the Red Sox in their third baseman quest.
