Red Sox’s Bobby Dalbec talks fighting for roster spot, trade possibility, his potential

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Unlike the last two springs, Red Sox infielder Bobby Dalbec is fighting for an Opening Day roster spot.

“Absolutely. But I’m not going in every day like, ‘Oh, I’ve gotta get four hits an at-bat to make the team,’” Dalbec said Saturday at JetBlue Park. “I’m just trying to work hard, make myself available in every situation of the game. Defensively as well. Pinch hitting. I’ve felt really good with the bat this spring.”

Dalbec — who has two homers, four doubles, two triples and an .863 OPS in 17 Grapefruit League games — is in a complicated situation.

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Rookie Triston Casas will start at first base. He took over at the position late in 2022 after Dalbec struggled offensively (.215/.283/.369/.652 line in 117 games) throughout the season. Justin Turner also will receive occasional starts at first base against some left-handed starters.

Dalbec has minor league options remaining. The Red Sox easily could option him to Triple-A Worcester and instead keep infielder Yu Chang who is out of options. Boston would need to place Chang on waivers if he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster.

Outfielder Raimel Tapia also is fighting for a roster spot after signing a minor league contract. He has an opt-out clause. Tapia can elect free agency and pursue opportunities elsewhere, either on major or minor league deals, if he’s not added to the roster.

The Red Sox, therefore, could easily lose Chang and Tapia if he they don’t place them on the 26-man roster. The Red Sox would not lose Dalbec.

Boston also could open a 40-man roster to add Tapia or any other non-roster invitee by trading Dalbec for a minor leaguer.

Has Dalbec considered other teams might be interested in him and he’s a potential trade candidate here at the end of spring training?

“I honestly don’t know,” Dalbec said. “I would think other teams are interested in me. Obviously I’ve been with this organization forever. I think they know what I can do and all that stuff. But I really haven’t put too much thought into that, honestly. It’s not really something I can control at all regardless of what I want or don’t want. Obviously I want to play every day but I love being here. I love these guys. I love this team, the staff, the organization. I have the same mindset no matter what role or where I’m going to be and that stuff.”

Trades are uncommon right before the regular season. But Dalbec could be an attractive target for any team looking to add a first baseman or third baseman. He’s still only 27 and not many hitters have his type of raw power and strength. He hit 25 homers, 21 doubles and five triples as a rookie just two years ago (2021).

“From experience, I know not too many trades happen towards the end,” manager Alex Cora said, speaking in general terms and not specifically about Dalbec. “But we like what we have. We like the players that are here. But we have to make decisions and we’ve still got time to do that. We’ve been talking to certain guys about them making the team or not and all that; their situations. It’s not a comfortable time of camp but it’s something that when you have good players, this happens. So we’re very open for a lot of things. Just contacting people and see where they are at. And I bet there are teams calling to see where we’re at and then go from there.”

Plenty of major leaguers have had strong rookie seasons and then disappointing sophomore seasons before going on to enjoy productive careers.

Fangraphs’ David Laurila used former Red Sox first baseman/third baseman George Scott as an example in reference to Dalbec’s situation last September. Laurila tweeted last September, “Despite high strikeout totals, George Scott looked like a star-in-the making in 1966 & 1967. In 1968, he slashed .171/.236/.237. A 1B/3B, Scott went on to hit 200-plus HR & make All-Star teams”

“It’s hard to be consistent when you’re not playing consistent, but you’ve got to earn your at-bats,” Dalbec said. “I don’t know many guys who don’t play a lot that have a .900 OPS, slug and all that stuff. It’s tough to get in a rhythm. But yeah, I feel like I took all that experience and just used it as a learning experience and try to build. I didn’t try to reinvent the wheel or anything this offseason. Just got back to my roots and got rid of some of the poison that I accumulated in my hitting mindset and swing over the past few years.”

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Dalbec said it’s difficult to explain what the poison was exactly.

“I got a little bit more pull-oriented the last couple years,” Dalbec said. “I guess you can call that some of the poison generally. I’ve never been really successful when I’m just trying to be pull-side air. That’s not the kind of hitter I was. I just turned into it a little bit. Pressure and all that stuff. The Monster’s right there. Just maybe it will work out type of thing. But I’m better when I’m just using the big part of the field and spraying it everywhere. That will end up in more hits, more runs, higher on-base percentage, more walks. All that stuff.”

Dalbec, who came up through the minors as a third baseman but has played more first base in the big leagues, has shown versatility in the past couple of years. He has logged 14 innings at shortstop and 5 ⅓ innings at second base. He received reps at shortstop this spring when Kiké Hernández was playing for Puerto Rico in the WBC.

Versatility increases his chances of making the roster.

“I’ve always said, it’s not about me. I don’t have that mindset,” Dalbec said. “I’m just trying to help the team win. Obviously I think if I’m in there every day I can contribute. But if I’m not, I can contribute in other ways and be OK with that. Not be OK with it — obviously I want to play every day. And I see myself as an everyday player. Just gotta take it one day at a time.”