Before the Boston Red Sox landed All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman in February, the Red Sox were linked to various veteran free-agent outfielders, who could’ve provided them a power boost.
After seeing Tyler O’Neill sign a two-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles, Teoscar Hernandez and Anthony Santander were considered the top free-agent options for the Sox. However, the Sox didn’t come up with either guy as Hernandez re-signed with the Dodgers on a three-year, $66 million deal.
Coincidentally, Hernandez was reportedly seeking a three-year contract this offseason. Santander got a huge five-year, $92.5 million deal from the Toronto Blue Jays.
At the time, Red Sox fans might’ve been bummed out not to get Santander, who went to a divisional rival, but it might’ve worked out for the best.
After slugging 44 home runs (career-high) with the Orioles last year, the 30-year-old outfielder has struggled mightily at the plate through the first month and some change with the Blue Jays.
The veteran outfielder has slashed a mediocre .178/.267/.310 with four home runs and 12 RBI in 33 games. Santander has also hit five doubles and possesses a .577 OPS (second-worst mark in his career).
The former Orioles outfielder wasn’t a prolific .300 hitter at the plate last season in Baltimore (.235), but at least he had an .814 OPS. Santander has been unwatchable against left-handed pitching this season, sporting a .103 average, two doubles, six walks, and 10 strikeouts in 35 plate appearances.
Last season with the Orioles, the 30-year-old slugger hit .225 with 12 home runs and 25 RBI against southpaws.
The only saving grace for Santander is that he’s hitting .200 with four home runs and 12 RBI against right-handed pitching. However, we can only imagine that Blue Jays fans aren’t happy with Santander’s performance at the plate.
Meanwhile, Red Sox fans are somewhat pleased with the performance of the team’s outfield this season. Wilyer Abreu has been hitting the ball well in right field, slugging .279 with seven home runs and 22 RBI.
However, in left field, Ceddanne Rafaela is hitting .219 with two home runs and 15 RBI. But the 24-year-old outfielder is hitting .273 through three games in May. Lastly, Jarren Duran is hitting .271 with two home runs and 19 RBI. The 28-year-old has wreaked havoc on the basepaths with 11 stolen bases.
With all that being said, while it would’ve been nice to add a power bat in the outfield, the Red Sox fans are doing okay without Santander. As we get closer to the trade deadline this summer, we’ll see if Boston goes after a power bat.