Red Sox agree with the outfielder Adam Duvall On a one-year, $7 million deal that could go up to $10 million with performance bonuses, Reports by Craig Mish of the Miami Herald. Chris Henrique of Beyond the Monster reported on the Red Sox’ interest And that the two parties were close to a deal (Twitter link). According to Chris Cotello of MassLivePerformance bonuses are based on board appearances. The transaction is pending physical. Duvall is a CAA Sports client.
Duvall, 34, began his MLB career with the Giants in 2014 and has since bounced around the NFL, playing for the Reds, Braves and Marlins. His career highlights to date have been the 2016 season, when he earned an All-Star selection with the Reds, slashing .241/.297/.498 (104 wRC+) with 33 homers in 150 games, and the 2021 season, in which he was awarded a Gold Glove, 226/.287/.513 (107 wRC+) down the stretch for the Braves after a mid-season trade from the Marlins, winning a World Series with Atlanta. This season, Duvall led the NL in RBI with 113 while hitting 38 home runs.
Duvall returned to Atlanta for the 2022 season, but his 33-year-old campaign hasn’t been as productive as the 2021 season. A left wrist strain — more specifically, a torn tendon sheath that required surgery — very likely affected Duvall’s overall performance, but the downturn It’s still clear. Heading into the 2022 season, Duvall has a career 241 ISO slugging minus batting average. 263 ISO delivered during his 38-player performance in 2021 ranks him 14th among all eligible hitters. That strength has largely faded, with Duvall’s ISO shrinking to . 188—ranking 74th among players with at least 300 plate appearances. The resulting .213/.276/.401 slash was 13% worse than the league average, as measured by the WRC+.
The 2022 season saw Duvall’s average strikeout speed drop from 89.8 mph to 88.3 mph, while his barreled and hittest balls fell by more than three percentage points. Meanwhile, the strike rate jumped from 31.4% in 2021 to a higher 32.1% in 2022.
It is impossible to say exactly how much is due to his injured wrist and how much is due to a general deterioration in skill. For a low OBP slugger like Duvall, the loss in power is definitely about his ability to play as an average hitter or better on a daily basis. However, Duvall still shows tremendous strength against the left in 2022 (. It has value even if his strength never returns to its pre-2022 form.
With an off-season acquisition Masataka Yoshida left and Alex Verdugo Set to play right field, Duvall seems bound for time in center field – though he would especially be a good complement to right-handed Yoshida or Verdugo, who is both a left-handed bat. Cotillo reported yesterday that the Red Sox believe Duvall is capable of playing center field at 34, despite the fact that he has only 593 major league runs at the position.
Whether Duvall will play position on a day-to-day basis or timeshare more depends on the youth’s development Garen Doran, whose diminutive .221 / .283 / .363 (78 wRC+) line has been reduced in 2022 by a massive platoon split; Doran slashed just .184/.238/.211 against left field for Boston, resulting in a nearly unplayable 22 wRC+. Against right-handers, however, he hits a more palatable .229/.293/.398 (91 wRC+). Duvall and Turnover Center will allow workers Enrique Hernandez To play the field, helping to cover a loss Xander Bogaerts In free agency and Trevor’s story to injury.
Even after the end of the season, which saw Boston Extension Rafael Devers for $313.5 million and add Yoshida Five-year deal worth $90 million Along with smaller agreements with Kenley JansenAnd Justin TurnerAnd Corey KluberAnd Chris MartinHaim Bloom’s front office still has a lot to do before opening, even after Duvall is signed. The top priority going forward should be tackling the middle court, where Hernandez can play efficiently every day, but the first choice to be his double play partner is Christian Arroyo. shortstop Elvis Andrewsin from Boston It said He has an interest, he is the best remaining middle player in the free agent market. so he said, Josh Harrison And maybe even Joricson Provar They remain as possible options at second base and the Red Sox are said to be Explore the trading market To get help too.
With Duvall on board, the Red Sox projected For an opening day payroll of about $190 million, with fancy tax liabilities of roughly $216 million on the ledger. That cash payroll mark is just shy of the $221 million they finished the 2022 season at, while their current luxury level leaves about $17 million of breathing space before they run the risk of paying the tax for the second straight season. Bloom and his staff should leave some leeway while they continue to look for ways to increase the roster.
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