Pittsburgh Pirates: Another Potential AL East Fit for Adam Frazier

Sep 3, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier (26) hits a double against the Chicago Cubs during the seventh inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier (26) hits a double against the Chicago Cubs during the seventh inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

An American League East team who received some of the worst second baseman play of any team in baseball in 2020 could match up with the Pittsburgh Pirates in a potential Adam Frazier trade

While it has not yet happened, the Pittsburgh Pirates trading second baseman Adam Frazier appears to be close to a lock to happen this offseason. The same can be said about starting pitcher Joe Musgrove.

So far this offseason we have already taken a look at how there are a few American League East teams that could be a fit for Frazier. Both the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays were examined in this fashion by Noah. However, a third AL East club, the Boston Red Sox, could also be a fit for Frazier.

During the 2020 season, the Red Sox were one of the worst teams in the American League in terms of second base production. Their second basemen ranked 12th in the AL in wRC+ (74), 10th in slugging percentage (.356), 10th in on-base percentage (.295), and 14th in fWAR (-0.2).

Boston also got poor defense from their second basemen in 2020. The group ranked 10th in the AL in dWAR (0.5), 10th in Defensive Runs Saved (-2) and their 45 errors were the second most in the league.

With the underwhelming performance the Red Sox got out of the second base positon during the 2020 season it is clear to see that they need an upgrade at the position. Alex Speier of the Boston Globe recently speculated the Red Sox would be unlikely to sign any free agent on the market with the exception of Korean star Ha-Seong Kim.

Due to this the Red Sox could look to the trade market to address their issues at second base. This is where Frazier and the Pittsburgh Pirates could come into play.

Frazier would be an offensive upgrade over what the Red Sox received from the second base position in 2020. He would also be a massive defensive upgrade. Frazier has been a finalsit for the NL Gold Glove Award at second base each of the previous two seasons as he has becom an elite defender at the position.

Another reason Frazier could fit with the Red Sox is his contract and positional flexibility. The reason the Red Sox do not want to give out a long contract in free agency is due to top prospect Jeter Downs. Downs is a second baseman with an ETA for the Majors of 2022. Frazier, however, is only under team control through 2022.

While Frazier could be a stop gap until Downs arrives, due to his positional flexibility, he could still be valuable to the Red Sox even after Downs cracks their MLB roster. Frazier could also serve as an outfielder for the Red Sox as he is not pigeon holed into playing just second base.

Next. Two Potential AL Landing Spots For Joe Musgrove. dark

The Red Sox could always go with an internal option to be the bridge to Downs, but with how poorly all of their internal options played in 2020 that seems unlikely. Especially for a team like the Red Sox where back-to-back down seasons will never be tolerated. All of this makes the Red Sox a logical landing spot for Frazier if/when the Pirates trade him.