Expect Danny Santana in Boston Soon, As Red Sox Shakeup Roster

 

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. 

Red Sox Low-Key Signing of Danny Santana May Provide Big Payoff

 

The Red Sox yesterday agreed to a Minor League deal with free-agent infielder/outfielder Danny Santana. The agreement includes an invitation to Spring Training for the 30-year-old veteran of seven major league seasons.

At first glance, this is a rather ho-hum signing. After all, it's just a minor-league deal. Furthermore, Santana has compiled a rather pedestrian .260/.299/.418/.717 slash line over more than 1,700 career plate appearances.

However, a look below the surface reveals a player with an interesting skill set and the potential to help the Red Sox this season.

Firstly, Santana in 2019 batted .283 with 28 homers, 81 RBI, 81 runs scored, 21 steals, and an .857 OPS over 130 games. That, alone, is eye-popping.

Secondly, Santana is a switch-hitter, which provides versatility at the plate, allowing manager Alex Cora to manipulate the batting order.

Lastly, Santana can play every position except catcher. Remarkably, like Kiké Hernández and Marwin González, Santana can play all four infield positions and all three outfield positions.

Santana's career defensive starts have been broken down like this: 132 games in center field; 104 at shortstop; 47 in left field; 51 at first base; 20 in right field; 16 at second base; and 12 at third base.

This could end up being a sneaky-good signing by Chaim Bloom; an under-the-radar move that we look back upon with amazement.

One way or another, it's certainly a low-cost deal for Boston. Santana will earn a $1.75 million base salary if he makes it to the majors and up to $1 million in incentives. There’s a $100,000 bonus if he starts the season in Triple-A, which means that he won't opt out in the spring. Having that kind of minor-league depth could prove to be invaluable to the Sox this season.

It remains unknown when Santana will be ready for action. He suffered an elbow injury last year that limited his 2020 season to just 15 games, and ultimately led to a right UCL repair on Sept. 9; the surgery required an internal brace. So, he may need some minor league prepping in advance of a big league promotion.

One thing is for sure: Santana's signing puts a lot of pressure on both Michael Chavis, who has minor league options, and Christian Arroyo, who doesn't. The latter will need to come out of the gate on fire or he risks losing his roster spot to the versatile Santana early in the season.