How does Bloom View the DH?
With the DH becoming permanent in baseball, the margins just got smaller.
On Thursday, “Commissioner” Rob Manfred delivered the only good news he has delivered all off-season long when he announced that there would be a universal Designated Hitter. This official decision was a long time coming as the league experimented with this idea back in the truncated 2020 season. The decision always seemed like an easy one as it could potentially allow more players to extend their careers as a DH rather than retire because they become a defensive liability. It’s also better entertainment since pitchers have the following slash line since pitchers started to hit back in 1947 (.148/.188/.189.) I for one will not miss pitchers watching fastballs right down the middle and walking back to the dugout unbothered at striking out.
The permanent DH throughout the league does create a lot of questions for Chaim Bloom when the lockout is over. The Red Sox acquired Kyle Schwarber at the deadline and he played a huge role in the Red Sox making the ALCS. Schwarber is now a free agent and due to his lack of defensive prowess seems to be ticketed for a DH role with whoever he decides to resign with once this stupid lockout ends. Fifteen more teams are potentially going to be looking to fill the DH position, which means Scharber’s price just went up. Bloom has not shown the willingness to make a big splash and go over the luxury tax. Even with the tax threshold rising with the new CBA (when it is finalized), it is unclear if Bloom and company will want to go near that number. So how does Bloom view the DH?
The DH can be looked at in two different ways. The Red Sox could have a permanent DH aka David Ortiz, and lock someone into the position. The other way teams have used the DH position is a revolving door where players get partial days off and only have to focus on hitting 3-5 times a game and and can rest for the remaining portion of the game. Looking at the Red Sox roster, they do not have an older roster with a bunch of players who would benefit from getting off of their feet one or two times a week and just DH. A team that fits this description perfectly is the New York Yankees. “DHing” Giancarlo Stanton a few times a week and Aaron Judge a few times a week could help keep them fresh and off of the IL. I do not think the Red Sox need to go to these measures with their roster.
Right now, the Red Sox positions could look like this on opening day.
C: Vazquez
1B: Dalbec
2B: Arroyo
3B: Devers
SS: Bogaerts
OF: Verdugo
OF: Hernandez
OF: Bradley Jr.
DH: Martinez
Now, I do not think the Red Sox are finished making moves and I believe the outfield needs another bat, especially if Kike is viewed more as a utility player (second and outfield). Martinez is an option to play outfield and surprisingly had 2 DRS in 247 innings (small sample size). But he also sprained his ankle when he tripped over second base running out to his position in the final series of the season so I am not sure if the Red Sox really want him being an everyday outfielder.
As much as I love Schwarber, he is definitely the riskier option to sign. To get into the lineup more, Schwarber played first base in 9 games and was not very good (-3 DRS). Now, judging a player who just picked up the position is not fair and I think improvements can be made if he commits to learning the position. Would Schwarber make enough progress to split time with Dalbec at first? I wouldn’t bet on that happening. And unless Schwarber is going to be the Red Sox starting first baseman, then the only position he will find his name next to on the lineup card is DH. That would mean a lot of outfield innings for JD, weakening the defense. There are a lot of questions that arise if Schwarber returns. As much as I would like to see him return, I think his market is going to be too steep for the Red Sox to compete in and also improve the bullpen.
I think the more intriguing option is Seiya Suzuki, a 27 year-old slugger coming over from Japan. Suzuki is listed as an outfielder and from numerous scouting reports that I have read is an average defender with an elite arm. There is always risk when signing a player from another league around the world because who knows how the player transitions against the world’s best pitchers. Will he consistently be able to catch up with upper 90s fastballs? Time will tell. Suzuki would fill a hole in the current Red Sox roster by potentially offering an above average bat that can play the outfield. I believe the more moves the Red Sox can make that allows Martinez to stay as the designated hitter will give the team better odds to reach their peak in 22’.
The other thing to consider is if the Red Sox were to sign a player like Schwarber to a multi year deal who is mainly a DH, what does that mean moving forward for Devers? If you have read any of my other posts about the Red Sox in the past, you know how concerned I am about Devers’ defense at third base. Although I do agree that the youngster has made strides over at the hot corner, the defensive metrics do not suggest enough progress has been made for him to stay at the position long term. If Devers cannot stay at third, that only leaves two possibilities in a Red Sox uniform in first base or DH. The Red Sox top prospect, Triston Casas, has succeeded at every level and many believe he can become the first baseman of the future in Boston. So if Devers needs to change positions, there would be a log jam created at first base. Or if he becomes the DH, there would be a log jam with potentially Schwarber. And oh yeah, both players bat left handed so a platoon wouldn't even make sense.
Whenever this lockout ends (hopefully soon), it is going to be a wild 2 weeks of transactions. Chaim Bloom and his team better have a plan in place and better be prepared to act fast because fifteen extra teams now need an extra bat. It will be interesting to see if Bloom will spend for a bat or will he try to find a cheap, platoon-like option to pair with JBJ. Time will tell.
Do you like to see teams use a permanent DH or treat the position as a “half day off” for every day players?
Who do you think the Red Sox will sign when the lockout ends?
If you like what you read, please consider subscribing. All you have to do is enter your email. It’s free. It just let’s me know that the blog is going in the right direction. Thanks for reading!