This isn’t Hernández’s first taste of shortstop. The 10-year veteran entered the season with 100 career games and over 600 innings at the position. He’s played mostly the outfield since signing with Boston before the 2021 season, though, so there inherently was some risk associated with moving him to shortstop full-time with Story out.
“So, for him to slow it down. It’s kind of like play free,” Cora said, per MassLive. “The same way you play second or the same way you play center: attack the ball, get rid of it. One of his pluses is this and the accuracy of his arm. So, just go out there and be an athlete. I think he’s been too cautious, too perfect from my eyes. Probably not, he’ll tell you the opposite, but I do believe from where I’m standing and knowing the position kind of like he’s been too robotic lately.”
The true impact of Hernández’s role change — the product of Story’s injury, on top of Bogaerts’ departure — is twofold. Because not only has the transition been shaky. It also prevents the Red Sox from deploying him at a position (center field) where he provided elite defense last season, and as a result, Boston’s outfield, collectively, is worse for the wear.
The Red Sox’s outfield entered Monday ranked 21st in defensive runs saved and 28th in ultimate zone rating. Again, small sample size. But Boston clearly is operating with a less-than-ideal defensive alignment, and it’s already reflected in the analytics.
The injury Duvall suffered Sunday could further complicate matters, as well. Because while he’s probably best suited for a corner-outfield spot, rather than center field (where he’s been playing), he produced more than enough offensively through nine games to compensate for any defensive shortcomings. Now, the Red Sox might need to tap into their organizational outfield depth, without a clear-cut answer, while Boston’s lineup loses more right-handed power, a trait already in short supply with Bogaerts playing in San Diego and Story likely out until the second half, at the earliest.
This isn’t to say the Red Sox are doomed to fall face down on the mat, especially since pitching reinforcements are on the way in the form of Garrett Whitlock, Brayan Bello and James Paxton. But they’re still deflecting punches with the 2023 campaign in full swing and fighting their way off the ropes won’t be easy.
