Devers, Dalbec, and Casas too... the infield corners going forward

This is an intriguing situation.  The Sox could move Devers to first base for 2021 and Dalbec to 3rd, but what do they do in 2022 (or late-2021) when they hope Casas will be ready?  Of the three players, it seems to me that they definitely will want Devers' and Casas' bats in the line-up.  Do they move Devers back to 3rd when Casas comes up, or do they hope Cora can work some magic on Devers at 3rd in spring training 2021 and beyond?  Another piece here: JDM has an opt-out after 2021, with one more year (2022) left on his contract.  It's far from certain that the Sox would re-sign him after 2022, so they might need a DH already for 2022 if JDM finds a multi-year contract elsewhere and opts out.  But, should the Sox use a young player such as Dalbec or Devers primarily as a DH?  (That would not be my choice as a manager or player.)

  Another possible piece here:  I've often wondered why nobody has suggested giving Dalbec some time as a corner outfielder because his bat profiles well there, and his arm in right field in Fenway would be a genuine weapon.  (I would start him in LF first because it would be an easier transition.)  He's a fine athlete with, apparently, good defensive instincts.  Will he be able to read the ball off the bat and track fly balls?  I'd like to see him try.  If Dalbec could add the OF to positions he can play, he would become a much more valuable player for the Sox (esp. in 2022 and beyond) or to another team in a trade.  I didn't like the Renfroe trade at first, partially because I saw him as taking a position I had envisioned as a possibility for Dalbec, but the more I think about it, the more I like it because it gives the Sox more depth and flexibility (with platoon possibilities), and, if everything works right, some valuable trade chips.  If JDM leaves, the Sox could use their power bats, including Renfroe, Dalbec, and Devers (and perhaps Chavis), as part of a multi-player rotation at DH.

By way too soon I mean a year at least. Not like, too soon this offseason.

Dalbec needs to prove he can stick in the majors before it even becomes a consideration. He hasn't done that yet. Their choosing to give him a shot to prove that is the first part of that process, not the end result.

Haven't listened to the podcast, but Devers has called Cora "a father figure" and "someone I always relied on."

My impression was that Cora's contribution was less about the technical nuances of playing 3B and more about motivation and focus. Either way, you have to think that his return is a good thing for Devers.

www.masslive.com/redsox/2020/01/rafael-devers-calls-ex-boston-red-sox-manager-alex-cora-a-father-figure-i-really-was-sad-to-hear-that-he-wasnt-going-to-be-our-manager-anymore.html

I suggested that the Sox should look at Dalbec in the outfield for next year because it would make him a more useful player moving forward. If Casas is for real, and probably limited to 1B, then Devers, ideally, is at 3B moving forward. Eric's evidence above suggests that he can be very good there. Another piece is that his teammates seem to like playing with him. That's important. At the same time, if 1B and 3B are locked up, what do you do with Dalbec? His contact issues might make him a lost cause, but he has progressed steadily through the system, and his power is for real. If he hits 25-30 HRs next year, do they find a spot for him in the future line-up? The outfield might offer a way for them to do so.

I'm optimistic about next year and beyond because so much of success in sports is the product of planning and teaching. Tampa Bay seems the master in these areas, and there are signs Bloom has brought this culture with him. The media are laughing at the Sox's abysmal season last year, but the reality is that they played very well against good teams (who were trying to win) in the final 2-3 weeks of the season, and young players (including Dalbec) made significant contributions after making jumps forward at the ATS. That kind of improvement seems proof of good teaching and (we can hope) positively evolving team culture. Can Sox coaches help Raffy with his fielding? Dalbec with his hit tool? We'll see. My trust in the process is growing.

Agree there. Muscular, big bodied guys make me cringe for Boston playing the OF. Remember Rice and especially Tony Armas playing CF. While Rice was passable, tho no Yaz playing left. Armas could hardly move playing center those 2 seasons.

The first projection puts him in AAA
The last may give Dalbec ROY

Honestly, not sure what to make of Dalbec.  I know the 92PA in 2020 is a very small sample size, but that 42.4% K rate is unsustainable.  But, if given the opportunity to acquire Ketel Marte at the expense of Dalbec, hell yes.  Even if you move Devers to 1B, we have Arroyo and Munoz that could both play 3B.  We also have Hudson Potts that could be ready sometime in 2022.  If can improve that OBP, he can be a beast.  Not to mention he's three years younger than Dalbec.  I think the problem with Potts is he was rushed.  

Somewhere in between.