Since Xander Bogaerts left and Trevor Story had surgery, the Red Sox have a hole in the middle of the infield. It’s not easy for Alex Cora.
But at the start of the season, he had a solution that worked: move Kiké Hernandez from center field to shortstop and put Adam Duvall in center.
On paper, it was ideal since Kiké’s versatility is tailor-made for such a challenge… and Duvall started the season as if he had been told that he was going to have his tongue cut out if he played badly.
That said, the injury to Duvall, a player who allowed the Sox to get by, hurts. She brings out the faults of the rest of the lineup… including the shortstop.
Since the start of the season, Kiké has had difficulty defensively (five errors) and he has only three hits. His last dates back to April 2 against Baltimore.
The club’s center line is therefore in a deplorable state at the moment. I didn’t think Kiké would have so much trouble at the start of the season, honestly.
And while Story’s rehabilitation is going well, the fact remains that his return isn’t imminent and the fact remains that the loss of Bogaerts hurts.
Since the start of the season in San Diego, the former Sox has been on fire. He is more powerful than ever in recent years and he often goes on the bases.
He fits well in a team that is really having fun at the moment. I imagine that he does not regret his decision too much, even if we felt he was very attached to the Red Sox.
But clearly, he’s building something right in California.
- Gabriel Moreno takes his ease in Arizona.
- Dansby Swanson is tired.
- Will the Pirates offer him an exit option?
