The Boston Red Sox’s infield is full of question marks this offseason, but that may not keep the team from parting ways with a struggling veteran.
Due to Boston’s surplus of talented outfielders under contract, the team has no shortage of options to choose from for who will be in the outfield next season. The same can’t be said for the Red Sox’s infield. Alex Bregman is expected to opt out of his contract this offseason, with Trevor Story’s status still uncertain. On the other side of the diamond, Boston has young talent in Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell to man second base, with Triston Casas expected to return next season after suffering a season-ending injury.
Despite the questions that remain for the Red Sox’s infield, the team will soon have to set its 40-man roster for the winter. Even once that is set, Boston can still cut struggling players as the team makes moves this offseason. One player expected to be on the hot seat is speedy infielder David Hamilton.
MassLive’s Chris Cotillo predicted that Hamilton is one of the likely candidates that the Red Sox will remove from its 40-man roster this offseason, either through a trade or even by designating the 28-year-old for assignment after the major step back he took this season.
“The club then needs to reinstate nine players … from the 60-day IL, which doesn’t exist in the offseason,” Cotillo wrote Tuesday. “That means there will likely be 41 players for 40 spots. The Red Sox will then need to make a cut to fit everyone on.
“There are some depth options on the roster who are candidates to be designated for assignment, like lefty Jovani Morán and righty Josh Winckowski. Eventually, as winter additions are made, the roster spots of guys like … David Hamilton and others could become tenuous.”
Hamilton was a solid contributor in his limited role last season for the Red Sox, slashing .248/.303/.395 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs in 98 games played. However, in a similar role this season, his output dropped significantly, with Hamilton hitting a mere .198 and not being as effective. Boston has decisions to make this offseason, but with how much Hamilton struggled, cutting ties with the 28-year-old is a likely scenario.
