Red Sox rumors: Elvis Andrus is a shortstop solution for 2023
With the start of Spring Training right around the corner, the Boston Red Sox have themselves a little bit of a problem. They don’t have a real shortstop for opening day.
We all know that Xander Bogaerts is soaking up the sunshine with the San Diego Padres for the next 11 years. There is also the newer knowledge of Trevor Story getting his elbow surgery, which could keep him out for almost the entire 2023 season.
Time is running out to make moves to improve this roster. One name that has started to circulate throughout the MLB free agency market is shortstop Elvis Andrus.
Considering the Red Sox need somebody that has played the position primarily throughout their career, why shouldn’t they consider signing the long-time veteran shortstop?
Boston Red Sox would have an ACTUAL shortstop in Elvis Andrus
This might sound crazy, but a shortstop is kind of vital to a winning team.
Especially when the team you love needs one badly. Yes, I know the Red Sox can switch out Kike Hernandez from center field and put him in at shortstop. But we resigned him because he can take care of center field.
Andrus is a great option right now for this Red Sox team. He’s proven he can play the position over a long period of time. Plus, who else do the Red Sox have as a primary shortstop? David Hamilton?
Boston Red Sox would only have Elvis Andrus for a year on a cheap contract
I mean, this is pretty obvious right? The Red Sox do not have to invest in the veteran shortstop for longer than a year. Also, you can get Andrus on a cheap one year deal.
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You’re hoping that Story is ready to go, either at the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024. The Red Sox also have the luxury of knowing that Marcelo Mayer will be getting more work in the Minor Leagues, instead of being rushed up to the MLB. So there’s options short-term and long-term for the Red Sox that are sufficient enough for the shortstop position.
The big thing to remember is that if the Boston Red Sox decided to sign Elvis Andrus before the start of the 2023 season, it would be a (very!) short-term signing.
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Get a guy that can play anywhere from 130-150 games at shortstop for this season. After this season, the position should be taken care of for the foreseeable future.
I’m not saying that Andrus is the best answer for this Red Sox team. You could argue they could also sign someone like Jurickson Profar. But then again, what other options do the Red Sox have, if they don’t pull off a big trade?
So give Elvis a one year deal, in the two or three million dollar range. Let him be the gap shortstop that this team desperately needs and try to be competitive in 2023.
After all, what’s the worst that Andrus can do for one year in Boston? Right?