The Boston Red Sox remain connected to Nolan Arenado and Alex Bregman, but neither star would be a clean fit. Either addition would set off a series of lineup dominoes — and, potentially, trades.
Let’s focus on Arenado.
Recent reports indicate the Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals renewed trade talks on Arenado, who’s “highly motivated” to land in Boston. However, Arenado and Rafael Devers both play third base, and the former would be the obvious choice to stay at the hot corner given his superior defensive ability.
Many have theorized that an Arenado trade would result in Devers moving across the diamond and first baseman Triston Casas being moved in a separate deal. But what if there’s a way to keep Casas on the roster?
In a recent TV segment, MLB Network’s Matt Vasgersian proposed a solution.
“How would it look with Nolan Arenado at Fenway? Well, it would necessitate a move with somebody,” Vasgersian said. ” … Raffy Devers would likely move somewhere, first base; Triston Casas would move somewhere, DH. I think it would evolve lineup to lineup, day to day, series to series.”
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That scenario would make a lot of sense, so long as Masataka Yoshida, Boston’s current designated hitter, is traded to another team. The Red Sox then could stick Arenado at third and have Casas and Devers platoon at first base and DH.
Here’s a potential Red Sox lineup after an Arenado trade:
LF Jarren Duran
3B Nolan Arenado
DH Rafael Devers
1B Triston Casas
SS Trevor Story
RF Wilyer Abreu
C Connor Wong
2B Vaughn Grissom
CF Cedanne Rafaela
That lineup omits top prospects Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell, both of whom could earn spots on the opening day roster. Campbell is a strong candidate to beat out Grissom for the starting second baseman role — unless, of course, the Red Sox sign Bregman and move him to second.
To that end, an Arenado trade might be preferable to a Bregman signing, as it would prevent Campbell from changing positions. That said, the Red Sox also could keep Bregman at third and make the same changes to the roles of Casas and Devers.
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