Before the season, the Red Sox claimed utility player Romy Gonzalez off waivers from the White Sox, after three seasons of bouncing between the majors and minors in Chicago. It seemed like a reasonable cut by the White Sox—Gonzalez had an abysmal .600 OPS in 86 career games at the time. Since coming to Boston, however, Gonzalez has found new life. He's assumed a do-everything role for manager Alex Cora, plugging and playing at any necessary position while providing a solid bat against left-handed pitching.
Gonzalez has carved out a nice role for himself on a much better team than the one that drafted him. But one Red Sox icon sees bigger things for Gonzalez down the road, despite the limited opportunities he's had so far. Jonathan Papelbon predicted on X that Gonzalez will become an unexpected All-Star in 2025, saying, '.@RedSox RomyGonzales will be an everyday player and All Star at second base next year!!! #BookIt,' which speaks volumes about his potential.
You can't play at the big-league level if you can't hit, and Gonzalez has hit more than his track record suggested coming into the year. He's put up a .747 OPS/105 OPS+ in 204 plate appearances, including six home runs and 29 RBI. This performance showcases Gonzalez's abilities and suggests that he's capable of exceeding expectations in his new role.
Meanwhile, there's hardly a position Gonzalez won't play in a pinch. The Red Sox have used him at every position besides left field, pitcher, and catcher in 2024. His versatility demonstrates that he can be a valuable asset for the team, making him an incredibly important part of the roster this season.
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