Get to know the Red Sox's offseason additions
Get ready to see some new faces at Fenway Park in 2021.The Boston Red Sox are set to embark on their new campaign following a fairly active offseason that added some much-needed depth to the club. While they didn't break the bank signing a premier free agent, the Red Sox front office did add a number of players who can help to fill holes on the roster.Here's a look at each offseason addition and what they bring to the table.
Age: 29
Contract: One year, $3.1 million
Renfroe struggled at the plate during the abbreviated 2020 season. But when you look past those down numbers, it's easy to see why Chaim Bloom was drawn to the ex-Padres and Rays slugger. He hit at least 26 home runs a season between 2017-19 and tallied a career-high 33 in 2019. He's also a solid defensive outfielder, which is important given the departures of Jackie Bradley Jr. and Andrew Benintendi.
As an extreme pull hitter, Renfroe's swing is tailor-made for Fenway Park. We can expect him to be used in a platoon role vs. left-handed pitching.
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Age: 31
Contract: One year, $2.1 million
We'll likely see Andriese come out of the bullpen and occasionally spot start in 2021. The former Rays, Diamondbacks, and Angels pitcher has a career record of 26-34 with a 4.57 ERA in 183 games (50 starts). He brings plenty of experience and adds depth to a pitching staff that needs all the help it can get after an abysmal 2020 season.
Tomase: Breaking down a Red Sox bullpen eyeing bounce-back year
Age: 32
Contract: One year, $10 million
When healthy, Richards has proven he can be one of the most dominant pitchers in the game. The problem is, the right-hander simply hasn't been able to stay on the field in recent years. In 2020, Richards returned from Tommy John surgery to post a 2-2 record and 4.03 ERA in 14 appearances (10 starts). Barring another injury, Richards has the potential to be the reliable arm at the back end of the rotation the Red Sox desperately needed.
Tomase: Stats are great, but can any of the Red Sox additions play?
Age: 35
Trade: RHP Adam Ottavino (owed $9 million in 2021) and RHP Frank German to Red Sox; cash or player to be named later to Yankees.
Ottavino was selected by the Cardinals out of Northeastern in the first round of the 2006 MLB Draft. He appeared in only five games with St. Louis in 2010 before being designated for assignment, then he joined the Colorado Rockies in 2012.
In Colorado, Ottavino emerged as one of the top relievers in baseball. That reputation earned him a three-year, $27 million contract with the Yankees in 2019, and he posted a 1.90 ERA in 73 appearances that season. Ottavino's 2020 numbers weren't quite as pretty, but the veteran righty still possesses a wipeout slider that can make big-league hitters look foolish.
Age: 29
Contract: Two years, $14 million
Expect Hernandez to be used all over the diamond as the former Dodger has experience at every position except pitcher and catcher. The super utility man likely will spend most of his time at second base and in the outfield.
Think of Hernandez as a Brock Holt with a better bat. His best season at the plate came in 2018, when he hit 21 home runs with 52 RBI and a .806 OPS. The Red Sox will gladly take anything close to that kind of production from such a versatile player.
Age: 26
Trade: OF Franchy Cordero, RHP Josh Winckowski, three players to be named later to Red Sox; OF Andrew Benintendi and cash considerations to Royals; OF Khalil Lee to Mets.
Cordero made his MLB debut with the Padres in 2017 and played in parts of three seasons in San Diego before being dealt to the Royals in 2020. In 95 career games, Cordero has a .236/.304/.433 slash line with 12 home runs and 36 RBI.
Injuries have prevented Cordero from unleashing his full potential so far in his career, but there's plenty to be optimistic about if he can stay healthy. He boasts big-time power and tremendous speed, and he's shown he can be a standout defensive outfielder as well. It's all about the upside when it comes to this Dominican Republic native.
Tomase: Cora opens up on Benintendi trade, state of Red Sox pitching
Age: 32
Contract: Two years, $3 million
Sawamura, who turns 33 in April, spent nine-and-a-half seasons with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan before being traded to the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2020. Over the course of his Nippon Professional Baseball career, Sawamura has logged a 2.77 ERA with a 22.1 percent strikeout rate in 868 1/3 innings pitched. Will that success translate to MLB? We'll soon find out, but there's no doubt Boston needed to find capable bullpen arms heading into 2021.
Age: 31
Contract: One year, $3 million (not yet official)
Like Hernandez, Gonzalez provides a ton of versatility as he can be played all over the field while also providing a decent bat. The former Astros and Twins utility man enjoyed his most productive season at the plate with the 2017 World Series champion Astros.
While we can expect Houston's sign-stealing scandal to be brought up time and time again, it's worth noting Gonzalez's numbers in '17 actually were better away than at home. That year, he hit .282 with 15 homers and 61 strikeouts at Minute Maid Park and .325 with eight homers and 38 strikeouts on the road.
