By
Can the Boston Red Sox use Kike Hernandez to replace Xander Bogaerts? It’s unlikely that the utility player will ever have the same level of popularity among the Bogaerts crowd. However, the Boston front office isn’t really looking for that; instead, they want a shortstop.
Bogaerts left for the San Diego Padres after receiving a higher offer from them than from the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox were left without a shortstop after signing a contract worth $280 million over 11 years.
The Sox may be turning to Kike Hernandez because they haven’t signed one in free agency and don’t have an instant replacement with Trevor Story playing second base while he’s out with an injury. This will be a defensive improvement for several members of the Boston organization.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora has full faith in Hernandez, according to Yahoo! Sports: “He’s a good shortstop, man. He is a good shortstop. I know his goals and I see it because he is a great defender. He’s a different dynamic in that position for us than in previous years. The other guy (Bogaerts) is a complete shortstop.
Furthermore, he said: “He played well in defense. Offensively, he’s one of the best in the big leagues. So all in all, he’s one of the best shortstops in the big leagues. But I think defensively, he’s a little different with Kike there and he’s going to play a lot there.”
Kike Hernandez says he’s a superior shortstop versus an outfielder: “I’ve always said I’m an infielder who can play in the outfield. It’s what comes naturally to me and I think my instincts are much better suited to the infield. Unfortunately, the only position I really got to play on a daily basis was midfield here.
He added, “I played a lot of second base with the Dodgers, but I didn’t play every day and still occasionally played other positions. I think that’s why people think center field might be my best position, but I believe shortstop might be it and I can’t wait to prove it.
The mail Is Kike Hernandez the perfect replacement for Xander Bogaerts shortstop for the Boston Red Sox? appeared first on The Independent Singapore News – Breaking breaking news
