Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe is informed by Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow that the Red Sox are willing to include another right-handed hitter in their outfield lineup. In light of this, Abraham notes that Boston and the camp of free agent outfielder Adam Duvall are still in communication.
Duvall had a respectable, if erratic, 2023 campaign. For the first few weeks after signing a one-year, $7MM contract during the winter, he was possibly the best hitter in MLB. During his first 37 plate appearances, Duvall produced a.455/.514/1.030 line. However, he fractured his left wrist diving for a fly ball. He lost two months due to the injury.
After returning from the injured list, he was stuck in a prolonged rut and managed only a.175/.253/.313 line until the All-Star Break. Following the Break, Duvall regained his rhythm and shot at a.293/.349/.654 rate through the end of August. He struck out in more than 40% of his plate appearances and hit.149/.177/.324 after September 1st, which left the year on a depressing note.
Even with the sharp ups and downs, Duvall had offensive output that was much above average overall. In 353 plate appearances, he slashed.247/.303/.531 with 21 home runs. Naturally, Boston’s choice to give him roughly 500 innings in center field didn’t turn out well; according to Statcast and Defensive Runs Saved, he graded three to five runs below average. Throughout his career, Duvall has been a plus left field defender, nonetheless. Despite his high strikeout totals and poor on-base percentage, he is a valued player because of the great corner outfield defense and 30-homer potential.
The only other team that has been publicly connected to Duvall this offseason is the Angels. He could sign a one-year contract again at the age of 35, but there’s a remote possibility he’ll land a second season that comes with guarantees.
Breslow wasn’t a part of the Sox when Duvall was signed in January of last year. Nevertheless, during his first summer in charge, the front staff has looked for right-handed power in the outfield. Boston made a trade for Tyler O’Neill already. Before Teoscar Hernández agreed to a $23.5MM pillow contract with the Dodgers for a single season, they were connected to him. Duvall would be a lot less expensive.