The Red Sox entered the day with 217 runs scored, tied with the White Sox for the major league lead. That’s a byproduct of Boston’s major league-best .446 slugging percentage and .772 OPS. The Red Sox .264 batting average is also third in the majors.
However, all that offensive output is driven by just four players:
J.D. Martinez - .340/.417/.601/1.018
Xander Bogaerts - .342/.401/.605/1.006
Rafael Devers - .278/.354/.583/.937
Alex Verdugo - .284/.345/.446/.791
Those four players are masking the deficiencies in the rest of the lineup, not just those in the bottom third of the order.
Marwin Gonzalez - .218/.310/.315/.624
Hunter Renfroe - .225/.258/.392/.650
Bobby Dalbec - .211/.262/.395/.657
Enrique Hernandez - .237/.296/.421/.717
Franchy Cordero - .167/.222/.226/.448
Gonzalez offers the team tremendous defensive versatility, making up for his offensive shortcomings. Similarly, Renfroe’s cannon-like arm and deft ability to patrol right field also make him an asset.
The Sox still believe in Bobby Dalbec, who is coming off a 2020 showcase in which he delivered 8 homers and 16 RBI in just 80 at bats. In that brief span the first baseman compiled a .359 OBP and a .600 slugging; that's why there's still so much hope. Though Gonzalez could replace Dalbec at first, that would eliminate Gonzo's greatest asset: the ability to play multiple positions each week.
Hernandez could and should lose his leadoff spot. But, like Gonzalez, his defensive versatility assures him a spot in the lineup each day.
Then there’s Cordero, who simply isn’t justifying a roster spot at this point. Though he is speedy for a big guy, Cordero is not noted for his defense. With a roster shakeup in the offing, Cordero will almost certainly be the odd man out.
Who would replace him? Danny Santana, whom the Red Sox signed to a minor-league deal in March.
Like Gonzalez and Hernandez, Santana can play virtually any defensive position, other than catcher. Then there’s his offensive versatility; Santana is also a switch-hitter. The super-utility player suffered a serious foot infection during spring training, which delayed his season. However, he has been raking during his minor-league rehab assignment and could be called up any day now.
The rub is that Santana is not on the 40-man roster, so a spot would have to be created. In other words, someone else needs to go. Though the Sox can demote Cordero since he has minor league options, they will not remove him from the 40-man roster.
Michael Chavis could also be sent back to Triple-A, but he will not be removed from the 40-man either.
Most likely, Brandon Brennan, whom the Red Sox claimed off waivers from Seattle on May 3, will be designated for assignment, creating space for Santana.
Boston has been operating with a 14-man pitching staff this season, which they’ve needed. That’s because not one Red Sox starter is averaging as many as six innings per outing this year, which has put a lot of pressure on the bullpen. That extra man is a nice luxury for Alex Cora.
However, something has to give and the woeful output by half the Red Sox lineup may take precedence over pitching depth, at least at this point in the season.
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