It doesn’t matter who the Red Sox target this offseason to fill out their rotation if the defense behind them doesn’t improve, too.
Besides the apparent defensive failures, second base was also one of the worst defensive positions for Boston last year.
Second base is the only infield position the Sox can realistically improve for 2024. (Rafael Devers, Trevor Story, and Triston Casas aren’t going anywhere.)
Craig Breslow has said the Red Sox will likely trade for a second baseman. Well, there just so happens to be one player the Red Sox could target via trade who’s a righty power-hitting versatile second baseman: Brandon Drury.
Brandon Drury, entering the final year of a two-year contract with the Angels, checks all the boxes for the Red Sox. Drury can play second base and cover first base, third base, and left field. Or he could be the primary designated hitter and fill in wherever needed.
At $8.5 million for one year, Drury almost makes too much sense for the Red Sox.
Brandon Drury Too Good a Red Sox Offseason Target
Embed from Getty ImagesBrandon Drury appeared in 125 games for the Angels in 2023, hitting .262/.306/.497/.803 with 30 doubles, 26 home runs, 83 RBI, and 114 OPS+. He had a 26 percent strikeout rate and a 4.8 percent walk rate.
His ’23 was basically a carryover from a breakout 2022 season in which he hit .274/.335/.520/.885 with 22 doubles, 20 home runs, 59 RBI, and a 131 OPS+ in 92 games with the Reds. He had a 22 percent strikeout rate and a 7.5 percent walk rate in Cincinnati. San Diego didn’t go too well for Drury (107 OPS+), but he rebounded last year.
After two decent seasons with the Diamondbacks in 2016-17, Drury’s career took a turn in 2018. From 2018-21, the 31-year-old hit just .214/.261/.363/.624 with a 67 OPS+.
So, what’s different about the last two years? His plate discipline is the same as it’s always been, but his contact quality has improved.
Drury’s average exit velocity has been above 89 miles per hour every season since 2021. His barrel rate is up as much as 5 percent since ’22. His hard-hit rate has been above 40 percent; isolated power is up 28-33 points; and his sweet spot rate has consistently been around 35 percent since ’22 as well.
The changes Drury made seem to have staying power, as he’s been a really good hitter since 2022.
Since 2022, Drury’s hit more home runs (54) than Teoscar Hernandez, Jose Ramirez, and Freddie Freeman, and is tied with Teoscar in RBI (170). He’s right behind Rhys Hoskins, Gleyber Torres, and is tied with Justin Turner in wRC+ (119). His 120 extra-base hits are more than Ronald Acuna Jr., Teoscar, and Alex Bregman, and one less than Bo Bichette. Moreover, Drury’s .232 ISO power exceeds Manny Machado, Luis Robert Jr. Triston Casas, Raffy, and Soto and is just behind Adolis Garcia.
Brandon Drury is a good fit for Fenway, too. He might not hit as many homers, but he’ll probably hit more doubles.
As good as a hitter as Brandon Drury is, he’s not a good baserunner. At all.
Drury’s an Upgrade on Both Sides of the Ball
Embed from Getty ImagesNot only is Brandon Drury an offensive upgrade for the Red Sox, but he’s an upgrade defensively, too.
Boston’s defense sucked all around in 2023. We all (rightfully) look at shortstop, third base, and left field, but second base was terrible too.
Red Sox second basemen amassed -12 Defensive Runs Saved and -13 Outs Above Average.
Most of the reps at second went to Christian Arroyo (2 DRS/-2 OAA/-2 Fielding Run-Value), Enmanuel Valdez (-6 DRS/-4 OAA/-3 FRV), Pablo Reyes (-5 DRS/-2 OAA/-1 FRV), Luis Urias (-3 DRS/-3 OAA/-2 FRV), and Enrique Hernandez (-1 DRS/-2 OAA/-13 FRV).
In-house second base options for 2024 currently consist of Valdez, David Hamilton (0 DRS/1 OAA over 11 innings at second; 1 DRS/-2 OAA at short), and Reyes. (I wouldn’t hesitate to add Ceddanne Rafaela to the equation, though Sox brass did not indicate he’s a legitimate possibility.)
The only one of them I’d trust playing every day is Reyes.
Brandon Drury spent most of his time last year at second base, amassing 5 OAA, -1 DRS, and 5 FRV. He had -1 DRS and 0 OAA at second in ’22. He’s also spent time at first (-1 OAA/-2 DRS in ’22; -1 DRS/0 OAA in ’23) and third (-4 DRS/0 OAA in ’22).
Brandon Drury’s an all-around upgrade and a good gamble for the Red Sox as a trade target this offseason.
Featured Image Credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
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