With today’s trade of Kiké Hernandez, the Boston Red Sox addressed an area of concern with regard to pitching. In exchange for Hernandez the Red Sox are getting two right-handed pitchers, Nick Robertson and Justin Hagenman, from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Effects of the Kiké Hernandez Trade on the Red Sox This Season
While Hernandez had been a spark plug and versatile player for the Sox since arriving from the Dodgers as a free agent in 2021, his play this year has not been stellar. Hernandez is batting a dismal .222 with six home runs and 31 RBI. With a logjam of players at middle infield and the imminent return of Trevor Story, Hernandez became expendable. Though he has been known to get hot later in the season, the Red Sox realized the severity of their need for pitching.
What the Red Sox Are Getting in Return
Nick Robertson
In Robertson, the Red Sox are getting a prospect who, at the Triple-A level, for the Oklahoma City Dodgers this season is 2-0 with a 2.54 ERA. In 27 appearances for Oklahoma City, Robertson has three holds, seven saves, 42 strikeouts, and nine walks in 28 1/3 innings. With the big league club this season Robertson has made nine appearances and is 0-1 with a 6.10 ERA. He has struck out 13 batters while walking four. While his numbers at the major league level this season do not look great, the Red Sox are hoping that he will be able to have the success in Boston that he is shown at the Triple-A level.
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Justin Hagenman
Unlike Robertson, Justin Hagenman does not have any big league-level experience. What Hagenman does have in common with Robertson is his success at the Triple-A level. This season Hagenman is 4-0, with a 2.78 ERA in 25 appearances for the Oklahoma City Dodgers, including five starts. He also has four holds and a save. Over 55 innings of work, Hagenman has 60 strikeouts and 11 walks. The Red Sox, again, are hoping that Hagenman will continue to show the potential at the major league level that he has shown at the Triple-A level. He also provides the Sox with a versatile option as he has been both a starter and reliever with Oklahoma City. His versatility will allow the Red Sox to use him based on their needs.
Takeaway
The Red Sox are getting two prospects that they hope can play up to their full potential to make a playoff push this season. Whether or not both Robertson and Hagenman can meet the expectation of the potential the Red Sox see will play out over the next few months as the Sox make a push for a playoff spot. As for Hernandez, the Red Sox saw an expendable player based on the depth they already had at both the middle infield and outfield positions. Hernandez’s poor performance at the plate this season was also a pertinent factor in the decision to trade him. Sox fans are hoping and expecting big things from both Robertson and Hagenman. They hope that both will bring the high level of performance that they had at Triple-A Oklahoma City to the Red Sox.
Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Players Mentioned:
Kiké Hernandez, Nick Robertson, Justin Hagenman, Trevor Story
