The Red Sox are among the teams pursuing free-agent outfielder Adam Duvall, as first reported by Chris Henrique of Beyond the Monster. MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo tweets that a resolution on Duvall’s free agency, be it him signing with the Sox or another club, could come as soon as this week. The Red Sox, Cotillo adds, view Duvall as “plenty capable” of playing center field.
Slotting Duvall into the center field mix alongside left-handed-hitting Jarren Duran would allow Boston to shift Enrique Hernandez back to the middle infield, in the wake of Trevor Story’s recent elbow surgery. Duvall doesn’t have pronounced platoon splits — he draws slightly more walks against lefties but hits for similar power and has an identical .230 average against lefties and righties — so it’s possible that he could even be thrust into center field on a regular basis, if the Sox are comfortable with the defensive component of that fit.
Duvall, 34, has elite defensive grades in left field in his career but has just 593 innings in center field — most of which came with the Braves over the past two seasons. He’s fared well there, too, logging four Defensive Runs Saved and five Outs Above Average in that limited time.
With the bat, Duvall has clear plus power, but he’s never gotten on base much and has also grown increasingly strikeout-prone in recent years (30.4% over the past four seasons). His 2022 season was cut short by a torn tendon sheath in his wrist, leaving him with an ugly .213/.276/.401 batting line and a dozen homers in 315 trips to the plate. Duvall smashed 38 home runs as recently as 2021, but that was accompanied by his typical blend of low average and OBP marks; in 555 plate appearances for Atlanta in ’21, Duvall hit .228/.281/.491.
That’s par for course for Duvall, a career .230/.289/.465 hitter who has thrice topped 30 home runs in a given season and also has a 2021 Gold Glove Award under his belt. If he’s back to full strength last year’s season-ending wrist surgery, he could give the Red Sox a much-needed right-handed bat in a lineup where only Hernandez, Justin Turner and Christian Arroyo project for regular reps. Bench options like Bobby Dalbec and Rob Refsnyder could give Boston some additional righty bats on days they face a left-handed starter.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said last week that following Story’s injury, he’d likely seek multiple up-the-middle additions to the lineup. Duvall, assuming he plays center field, could fit that billing, but the Sox would likely still have other additions in store. Boston was also connected to former Rangers, A’s and White Sox infielder Elvis Andrus over the weekend. Boston currently projects to have a payroll of about $183.5MM next season and has a bit more than $209MM in luxury-tax obligations on the books — both of which are well shy of last year’s totals.
So, this means he won’t sign with Boston and they will get a different guy instead. Got it.
Exactly! Bloom found the solution to all Sox issues yesterday anyway by signing Alfaro.
Probably be better to sign chafin and let Rafaela roam CF
Lol I got a chuckle out of this
Why would anyone one want to as the Red Sox are on the fast track to being the worst team in MLB!!! Go Shaim Doom!!!
You sign with the red sox because you know a winning club won’t give you playing time, and, you hope to rebuild enough value that you get a better chance the next year.
Or because they shove a mountain of cash in your face.
So, yes, obviously you weren’t very good to begin with to come to BOS at this point
Should he sign, the job is his to lose. Duran is NOT a CFer.
And to join a contender at the deadline.
He wore down playing CF.
GASox – This is actually a signing I would endorse if he was guaranteed to be fully recovered from the wrist injury, as his power would play well at Fenway. He had a 3-homer game there in 2020. I think moving Hernandez to the infield is something that needs to be done.
But wrist injuries tend to linger, and I’d be wary about his ability to have a bounceback season.
Fever. How good is Hernandez at short? I’d rather get a real shortstop like an Iglesias and keep Hernandez in center. Add AD as an outfielder is still a good move team wise.
Curious how exactly you see Boston having dropped below the 13 teams that finished below them in the standings last year in one off-season.
Being on the fast track towards somewhere isn’t the same as saying ‘boston is now the worst team in mlb.’
That said, if I was a betting man I’d say they are more likely to finish worse than more than 16 other teams.
king brady-losing your star shortstop and one of your best SP among others will do that to you.
The fact that either of the SP they moved on from were considered among their “best” last year is a big part of the reason they finished last in their division. Neither were all that good or hard to replace.
Kingbrady–I’d take eovaldi over Kluner and even Wcha for that matter.Sox are counting on Sale and Paxton to rebound.
Mets sign Duvall already to DH and 4/5th OF
As a Braves fan, if we don’t sign him, I sure as heck don’t want the Mets to sign him. As a Miami player, he was brutal against the Braves. Please sign him Boston…
I cant believe Duvall is a plus CF, 4 OAA there last year seems way too high. Something about his glove doesn’t scream CF to me.
No way he’s playing center in Fenway
It’s not so much his glove skills but more like his speed skills to track down balls in CF that would concern me. Definitely more of a corner OF.
@ tstats – Just curious and not implying at all that your opinion isn’t valid or well-researched (in fact I tend to agree with you to a point); truly not trying to comment upon you specifically but instead the trend on here. Your username and comment led to you being chosen for the question – have you scouted him or just looked at the stats?
I see a large number of commenters on here that fit the mold of folks that “watch” baseball via BR / Fangraphs / Rotoworld et al and the occasional Gameday, and then cobble together a few statistics and claim expertise while they shout down everyone else. Again…not you..
Also don’t forget MLB the Show player ratings. Or pennant chase, other simulation platforms. I absolutely CONSIDER them. There is a team of guys that dedicate their entire day to making those babies as accurate as possible. In a sense, their player ratings is a statistical analysis.
I honestly do think that this place is the Mecca for average Joe baseball talk. We’re all average joes…..who are obsessed with baseball. I watch baseball anytime I have free time to myself during the season. My girl and I are flex pack members at T Mobile. I have the mlb package 15 in som me form or fashion years running now and I’m 34. I’ve watched thousands and thousands of games in my life. I don’t care what team it is; there’s ALWAYS something to get into and pay attention to; and they are ALWAYS there for me to enjoy and critique, need out.
I have ebbed and flowed with the changes and eras of the game; we recognize for example that this is the era of the pitcher, with the exception of Judge, the 2019 and 2017 juiced balls, and right after Manfred ball began in the middle of 2021.
I’m not saying I’m special, I’m no genius, I’m not a pro scout. I work for the Teamsters union. I just love, love baseball deeply, man. And I know the game. I combine my 34 years of watching with individual statistical analysis, “experts” statistical analysis. The knowledge of baseball truly is accessible for everybody, man. I’m nothing special, I just want to talk some ball!
And fyi, @Carver I’m not picking on you or coming at you whatsoever. I though it was a good question!
As a dodgers fan, I have seen a bit of the Braves the past few years and likewise went to look at stats before posting. Eye test for me has never shown that Duvall is anything more than a net neutral at CF which seemed odd considering his high defensive stats.
IRT the CF discussion, from my perspective as a RS fan, I’m not looking for him to be JBJ in CF. I assume it will be a one-year contract for $8M or less.
Carver – FANTASTIC last paragraph! So very true. I think it’s a matter of the math folks invading here in search of an audience, despite the fact they aren’t really in love with the game itself. Most numbers guys lack social skills, and you can definitely see it in many of the posts here.
And ironically I am very much a numbers guy with a background in accounting. The difference with me is I have much more of a passion for the game than the numbers, which is why I attend or watch nearly 150 games a year.
Teams looking for 4th outfielder/occasional DH may need to get via trade, or lower expectations. Duvall/Profar want to play every day.
Duvall would get plenty of playing time between CF/LF/DH
This is probably a bad sign. Duvall is worth paying under 10 Million. More than that is a scam and I wouldn’t do it. I’d like him on the sox, but I feel we are going to miss out and sign a Raimel Tapia type instead.
If I see one more sox interested in a .220 .230 hitter….
I can honestly say that I am more and more confused by what the Sox have been trying to do. I just don’t get it. However I find that beer helps.
And lots of IT!!!!
AMEN!
In another month we’ll need to find a chaser or 3
@DBH Bloom is in panic mode cos he’s suddenly realized Henry rigs a suicide belt to his hires that goes off after 3 seasons…tick tock
The strategy is straightforward enough. They need two middle IF. But if they can find a suitable replacement in CF, then Kiki can move to one of those slots.
Iglesias is available, and he can hit.
Joe–Kike will give the sox below average shortstop play–a very poor replacement for Xander
You realize that over his career Hernandez has put up better defensive numbers at SS than Bogaerts did, right?
Randy-I’d prefer Kiki in CF than at SS. But it is an acceptable alternative if we cannot find a SS.
I don’t think the Red Sox have done their due diligence on Adam Duvall. If they look at Duvall’s 2022 season with the Braves they will see that Duvall’s offense while playing CF was brutal. It wasn’t until he was moved back to LF that he started hitting again.
Duvall in 2022
in CF: .196/.265/.281 (.546), 54 wRC+
in LF: .239/.300/.576 (.876), 139 wRC+
MLB teams don’t look at those type of splits.
Duvall to the Rays or Mets, IMO.
budman-If he will accept a 1 yr deal for 4 million Bloom might be interested.
Boston’s payroll is a complete disaster. They need help from Wu to build a new stadium to generate a fresh revenue stream. They can’t rely on multiple nights of Dead and Company every summer or a Winter Classic to save themselves any longer. It’s time to cut bait on Sale and Story, get some TIFs and move to Bedford or Andover
Exactly why would the most iconic stadium in baseball be torn down when it seats 35+K and manages to sell out virtually every game with some of the highest ticket + concession prices in the league?
A over 100yo stadium is far better off than many of the newer monstrosities and dozens which have been built/torn down since fenway was 1st erected.
Chalk up the dislike for fenway post to yet another fan who knows next to nothing about the game, nor it’s history.
I didn’t suggest tearing it down. I’m suggesting turning it into low income housing or an IKEA
Slider with Cheese, seems like you’re a few fries short of a happy meal.
Fenway is magic. It’s impossible to deny the history, the uniqueness, and the love for this ballpark that is shared by baseball fans across the country.
John … live in Chicago and have probably been to Fenway more than Wrigley ( after 21) I no it’s easy being a Redsox fan but Fenway is the best…. All the weird shapes and dimensions it’s one of a kind… Wrigley… nice but after Ivey…ehh… and this coming from a full figure man who needs butter to get out of seats at Fenway!!!!!
Oimtiant.. Never made it to Chicago and Wrigley in my lifetime, tho always intended to. Have to say Fenway is my favorite of all have seen, tho few are still standing.
Thunderdome (St Pete and by far the worst)
Launching Pad, also known as Atlanta Fulton county stadium.
Jack Murphy stadium (Sandiego)
Joe Robbie stadium (Marlins)
Marlins Park (domed new)
Dodgers Stadium in LA.. Seems like it may have been called something else in the 70’s (was in USN part of period/stationed in SD).
I’ve always said was going to go back to Fenway 1 last time. My son has gone a few times. Last time I was there was the infamous 4 game NYY massacre of them in sept of ’78, with my dad, who usually went with back then.
JS very cool… did trips 25plus years ago… funny thing .. I have been to more stadiums replaced that are still standing!!!! The trop I always heard was a dump but nothing can ever replace my thoughts of Olympic stadium in Montreal…. My feet and legs hurt just remembering what the turf looked like… oh man “78”!!! Remember listening to game on radio in cloak room and when yaz went bridge going wild with joy!!! Nuns weren’t Redsox fans I guess???lol
olmtiant – I’ve been to quite a few MLB stadiums, I agree with you on The Big O. It was even worse than The Trop and Old Shea.
But there were three things I liked about the Expos experience.
The beer was good, large and reasonably priced.
Youppi was the best mascot in baseball.
And those Molson cheerleaders!! During the 7th inning stretch it was like watching them do a striptease to Take Me Out To The Ballgame.
Fever… one last thing .. the game over PA in English and French!!! .. Cleveland… runner up but the Jake one of my favorites with Camden yards… in Cleveland it was early in year and I believe attendance was under 15 k …. Social distancing before it was ever needed!!!
They don’t. They have one of the highest revenue streams in baseball without selling a single ticket or concession. They get 100 million from the MLB TV contracts. All teams do. They also get over 500 million annually from NESN, which they own, and that doesn’t include the profits from bruins broadcasts.
Is there a single player that wasn’t on last year’s roster the Sox haven’t been interested in? From Judge to Duvall, it’s freaking absurd. Sign some people or resign, Bloom.
Scott – I don’t recall anyone saying the Sox were interested in Judge. It was more of a fantasy because they had the payroll flexibility to sign him and the need for a bigtime slugger, but realistically they would never consider that large a contract especially for someone that age.
clutchpoints.com/mlb-rumors-red-sox-have-spoken-wi…
The same article said that the NYY might pursue Bogaerts. Most of these rumors are made up by the writers, or provided to the writers by FOs trying a disinformation campaign.
I don’t care who they sign as long as Profar isn’t one of them.
Bobby Dalbec at short. He’ll hit 40 homers, play flawlessly, and they won’t need to go out and get a .220 hitter that strikes out a lot.
I know you’re kidding, but that may not be the worst idea in the world.
This would be a pure “meh” of a pick-up. Not a true center fielder, although a plus glove elsewhere. Has existing wrist issues has never hit for average, never had an acceptable OBP, offers very little speed, and pitchers have to literally hit his bat for him not to swing and miss.
I think Bloom knows this and will pass on picking him up. If Bloom doesn’t know these things perhaps someone working in his office might help him along and point this stuff out to him.
“Has existing wrist issues has never hit for average, never had an acceptable OBP, offers very little speed, and pitchers have to literally hit his bat for him not to swing and miss.” Aside from all that Ms. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?
In 2021 the dude hit 38 home runs and had a .772 OPS.
You don’t think the Red Sox could use that?
Obviously it makes no sense to overpay, but if they get him at a reasonable cost, why not?
Hope it works out for them. Nothing wrong with found money in the sofa.
I sure wish the Red Sox had a time machine and could get the player that did that, that year, and so does Duvall? Sure, dirt cheap (insert name of “VERSATILE” league average or below player) is worth it for this team at this point. If he is at or above the asking price for the player he actually is, no thank, at all, ever. What would be the point? A rental, for what purpose? To have yet another guy playing out of position? No thanks Just put a scrub in from the minors, perhaps they can surprise a little at league minimum. We are all quibbling over what we need to play .500 instead of just below .500. I would rather see what we have in the minors and see if any can stick or figure out some things at the MLB level. No one of note if they are going to ride the pine. Only if we are going to allow them to really play.
Curtis – He also won a Gold Glove in 2021.
And I know we aren’t allowed to talk about him leading the league in RBI, but we can definitely mention the 1.124 OPS with RISP.
Any free agent pick up at this point is “meh”.
Good Grief..Duvall & Duran as the SAWX CF’ers in Fenway – What a freaking nightmare..
True dat. You thought Chris Sale had meltdowns when balls hit to the hot corner got the matador treatment. Wait till they start ping ponging around the OF. This is gonna suuuuck.
Theo – Can you imagine if Lackey was still pitching for the Sox? Nobody showed up his fielders more than him.
Yikes, Jon Lackey and Dallas Keuchel both. Can’t get any Red-assier than that
Franklin – The Red Sox should sign Andrus or Iglesias and leave Hernandez in CF (and Arroyo at 2B), but Duvall could also play some LF with Yoshida at DH and Turner at 1B. The bottom line is that the Red Sox do have the money under the CBT to sign Duvall and add to the team’s depht.
Michael A. Taylor would be good CF target for Boston. Duvall is a solid defensive LF’er. but should only play CF in a pinch.
Cf and Rf are one and the same with fenway.
Right now the entire OF depth chart profiles as either dh or lf, with the exception of Verdugo who is a slightly below par cf/rf type by fenway standards. Poor roster construction without a master plan early in the offseason.
So much of this hot/cold deal with bloom reeks of cherington except without the drafting/quality prospect building, and, of course, the championship.
Aside from the horrific, unifying and motivating force of the marathon bombing I don’t see the ’13 title run having happened either.
But the swings between no hitting, no bullpen, no pitching…. it’s just a weaker version of the cherington front office.
They’re all still too far away to tell, but, I’d gladly trade the next wave of prospects all being busts (like the ones bloom traded for thus far) if it means getting him out of town on a rail, tarred and feathered, once and for all.
Rangers could use this guy in LF and the RH power to go with Semien
RSox knowledge needed here,lol
I’m honestly not a huge fan of Duvall. Stats are scattered with a few great outlier years, but generally he’s a low average hitter who is lucky to crack 20 homeruns. Not worth the 20 homeruns if you hit low for average, especially considering I’m sure he has a price tag.
His defense might be good but we need the offense too.
Based on the quality of their roster…I would not have guessed they were at 180ish mil
You you be even more surprised to know that since chaim bloom came to town the sox have had projected tax allocation values on spotrac of
2020: 184m
2021: 210m
2022: 246m
That’s an awful lot of money with nothing to show for it.
2021 was nothing to show for it? I get he hasn’t done anything groundbreaking but 2021 can’t be disregarded either.
2021 had pretty much nothing to do with bloom. Meanwhile…. did he win the division? Win the AL? No, someone else’s ashes snuck in on a wildcard and fell short because the self-inflicted weaknesses weren’t properly addressed at the deadline.
I don’t see a new flag flying.
They might be better off with Shelly Duvall.
Oh Popeye! Here’s Johnny!
.289 career OBP. CAREER, not an off season, CAREER. May as well go bring back JBJ if we’re only worried about Defense.
No to Duvall, just bring in one of the SSs.
Bro….. now that’s good humor… nice reference!!!
“How to go over the luxury tax and still be lost..”
Way to go Chaim Bloom ! That .213 batting average should be a big addition to this team. This team is going to be pathetic this year. This disaster of this coming year should be the end of Chaim Bloom’s Reign of Terror in Boston.
AL34 – Lets hope so.
If Duvall bats .213 he’ll probably finish ahead of Kike, Dalbec and maybe two more starters so he’ll fit right in. Heck, the Duvall I’ve seen play outfield wasn’t impressive. You might as well use Dalbec in Center field!! Probably similar results all the way around. Dalbec probably less likely to hurt himself running fast.
Once again, this is just another “who cares” move by Bloom as long it’s a one year deal!!
I’m not saying Bloom was solely responsible or even partially, but you said “nothing to show for it.” 2021 was a pretty successful year and whether or not he is responsible, some credit is due.
pwndroia – lets be fair. Bloom deserves credit for tearing down a championship team. It took him 3 years to remove most of the core guys so the lag effect accounted for the 2021 season. Give DD the credit for any success in 2021 not Bloom. He wasn’t even smart enough to hang on to Renfroe as he pulled his name out of his rear end going into 2021. Same with Schwarber. His two not so terrible adds got shipped out following the only non-horrible year while he’s been GM.
The 2021 team without JD, Bogey and Eovaldi having good years would have been a disaster consistent with 2020 and 2022.
Nothing good has come from having Bloom. He tore down a championship team making the organization non-competitive for 5 years or more and the longer he stays the farther into the future fans will have to wait for another championship team.
There is no spinning a positive out of Bloom. It’s all negative.
Don’t use a comma before the word “too” please.