The Boston Red Sox are looking at shortstop options ahead of the season so they can keep Trevor Story at second base.
The Boston Red Sox have become the subject of ridicule in MLB this offseason. Their biggest area of criticism comes from the fact that they were unable to re-sign Xander Bogaerts and allowed him to hit free agency, where he ultimately signed a massive 11-year, $280 million contract with the San Diego Padres.
It appeared as though the writing was on the wall last offseason when the Red Sox signed former Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story to a six-year contract. However, they moved him to second base to pair with Bogaerts. Now that Bogaerts is gone, one would assume that Story would shift over to shortstop.
According to The Athletic’s Chad Jennings (subscription required), there are “various voices in the Red Sox front office” that want the team to look internally and externally for a shortstop instead of having Story switch positions.
One name that Jennings reports that the team has shown interest in trade talks is Miami Marlins infielder Joey Wendle.
Red Sox reportedly looking at Joey Wendle as external shortstop option
The Red Sox know Wendle well, considering he used to play for the Tampa Bay Rays from 2018 until 2021. Not to mention that Bloom used to work in the Rays front office before accepting the head of baseball operations role for the Red Sox.
Wendle had his first and only All-Star season in what turned out to be his final year with the Rays in 2021. Through 136 games, Wendle recorded a .265 batting average, a .319 on-base percentage, a .422 slugging percentage, 11 home runs, 54 RBI, 73 runs scored, and 122 hits. That season, he primarily played at third base.
After the 2021 season, Wendle was traded to the Marlins in exchange for outfielder Kameron Misner. In 101 games, Wendle slashed 259/.297/.360 while recording three home runs, 32 RBI, and 90 hits. He played 43 games at third, 34 games at shortstop, and 33 games at second base.
If the Red Sox are to make a move for an external option to play shortstop, Wendle is a name to keep an eye on.