Here’s what a Red Sox lineup might look like with Juan Soto in it originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
We don’t use the term “generational talent” loosely, but Juan Soto certainly qualifies.
Still only 26 years old, Soto already owns a batting title and World Series ring, and he just completed the best season of his career with the Yankees.
He’d make any lineup instantly credible, and because the Red Sox remain in the running for his services, it’s a worthwhile exercise to examine how manager Alex Cora might deploy this perennial MVP candidate in a new-look batting order that would immediately be centered around this modern version of David Ortiz.
1. Jarren Duran, CF
Duran just finished eighth in the AL MVP voting after leading the league in doubles and triples. While it’s fair to wonder if 2024 marked a true breakout or an 8-WAR outlier, the Red Sox would be safe in betting on the former, since Duran had hinted at this kind of production in 2023 before a freak injury ended his season.
Not since Mookie Betts in 2019 have the Red Sox been able to pencil in a leadoff hitter as dynamic as Duran.
2. Rafael Devers, 3B
While this is the spot where Soto spent most of last year in New York, it’s also the place in the order where Devers has done the bulk of his damage. And though there will come a time when the Red Sox must stop making decisions based on Devers’ feelings, it’s also true that his comfort matters, and batting in front of Soto probably best positions him to thrive.
3. Juan Soto, LF
And now, the transformation. The Red Sox were by no means a bad offensive team last year; they finished third in the American League in runs. Even if they did nothing else, Soto might make them an 800-run offense again on his own.
Pencil him in for anywhere from 125 to 150 walks, 30 to 40 homers, and a penchant for the dramatic that has made him a lifetime .326 hitter in the World Series. He was the best hitter on the Nationals at age 20 when they won it all in 2019, and unlike teammate Aaron Judge, he didn’t wilt last October against the Dodgers.
Soto has all the mental and physical tools to anchor a lineup for a decade. It sounds like the Red Sox are willing to pay for that level of certainty.
4. Trevor Story, SS
After three left-handed hitters, we need a righty. Story is the best bet, but it’s still a gamble. The Red Sox have little to show for their $140 million investment so far thanks to injuries, but if Story can stay healthy, he has the potential to carry an offense for…