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New Red Sox 2B
Ian Kinsler is a .272 career hitter—but
this year, he's batting just .239. Fear not, Nation, over the last
month, the 36-year-old veteran has found his hitting
mojo again. Over the last 30 days, Kinsler is hitting .320 with 2 HRs and 10 RBIs. He's also scored 15 runs over that span, collecting five doubles and stealing two bases. He seems to be settling back into the Kinsler we all feared and loathed when he came to town. Of course, the Gold Glove second-baseman will add value to
The Carmine Hose on the
defensive side of the ball as well. Spotty performances at second (particularly by
Eduardo Nunez) have been a thorn in the side of this team for some time in the absence of
Dustin Pedroia. Moreover, both Nunez and
Brock Holt will be freed up to "rove" the field in their familiar utility roles once
Rafael Devers returns from the disabled list. Giving up two pretty good pitching prospects is a
bit of a risk (particularly the loss of
Ty Buttery)—but the Red Sox clearly see a window of opportunity in 2018 to run the table and win it all. Because of that, we like this deal.
