After Wednesday night’s series finale against the Seattle Mariners, the Red Sox head out on a lengthy road trip that will keep them out west until after Memorial Day weekend.
First up? A visit to an old friend.
Over the weekend, the Red Sox will have to contend with the shortstop who played more games for them than any other in franchise history.
After 10 seasons in the majors, 1,264 regular-season games, two championships, and a slew of personal achievements, Xander Bogaerts opted out of his contract last fall, became a free agent, and signed an 11-year, $280 million deal with the San Diego Padres. Over 42 games with the first non-Red Sox team of his professional career, Bogaerts has collected 42 hits, including seven doubles, six home runs, 25 runs, and 15 RBI. He’s also stolen four bases, drawn 22 walks, and only struck out 29 times.
Meanwhile, Boston’s middle infield is a hodgepodge, cobbled together, and decidedly less durable than it was during the Bogaerts era. Excluding his 18-game debut in 2013 and the shortened 2020 campaign (60 games), he played 136 or more games each year, and at least 144 seven times.
The current Red Sox infield largely consists of Kiké Hernández, Enmanuel Valdez, and Pablo Reyes, whom they acquired from the Oakland A’s last week for cash considerations. Trevor Story (60-day), Adalberto Mondesi (60-day), Christian Arroyo (10-day), and Yu Chang (10-day) are all sidelined with various injuries; Story and Mondesi haven’t played this season at all. It contrasts sharply with their very healthy former shortstop, especially this week.
Does that juxtaposition feel amplified to Chaim Bloom as the series in San Diego draws near?
“They’re all baseball games,” he said. “I don’t think our guys have worried about that. And you know, that isn’t something any of us really should be worried about.”
“The cool thing about it is that a lot of different guys have been called on early, and we knew, to some degree, that would be the case while we’re getting everybody healthy,” he added. “Everybody has found ways to step up and help us and put us in a position to win games.”
It’s a very ‘look on the bright side’ spin on the current situation.
True, it’s been special to see Valdez debut and homer in the first major league game his parents attended. Reyes has impressed offensively and defensively since joining the trade.
But Bogaerts also put the Red Sox in a position to win pretty much every game he ever played for them. And his absence probably won’t fade into the background until they win a trophy without him.
Kutter Crawford is expected to travel with the Red Sox this weekend, and should be activated from the injured list at some point during the road trip. The bullpen could use him; over five relief appearances, he’s held opposing batters to a .136 average and .404 OPS, with just two runs on eight hits, one walk, and 12 strikeouts.
Greg Allen is a perfect 22-for-22 in stolen base attempts this season. The outfielder, who made his major league debut in 2017 and has bounced around the league, has the most steals without being caught of anyone, not just in Triple-A, but all of professional baseball.
Shane Drohan will make his Triple-A debut on Thursday. The fiery starting pitcher posted a 1.32 ERA and 0.824 WHIP across his first six starts in Double-A, leading to a promotion earlier in the week.
The Red Sox play three games apiece in San Diego, Anaheim, and Arizona on this roadtrip before a day off on Memorial Day (5/29).
James Paxton, Chris Sale, and Corey Kluber will pitch Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in San Diego.