Eh... I think he can still play the OF and they would be fine. Schierholtz is likely gone. There's Vitters who could be something or could be nothing. Lake similarly is still developing. Bryant might end up in the OF. But honestly, you could say it's going to be 2-3 years before Almora/Soler sees the field from spring training. Even then you can throw him as a super utility player. I think he's fine and he's not really limiting anything. I get the idea that it stops them from going HAM in FA but they weren't likely to go hard into FA anyways. I'd honestly be more worried if they did nothing and just rolled with Lake, Vitters and maybe Bryant next year in the OF. Worst case with Bonifacio you're probably talking a .250 hitter. Worst case with guys they have now is no where near that good. You may not need him all 3 years in that sort of deal but he gives you a some what decent floor if players don't work out and given he can play lot of places he's great for injury protection.
What I see is Bonifacio being 7 years older than the core and taking away AB's from Baez and Alcantara.
As it is Alcantara is getting shuffled out by Baez at 2B. Then with Almora 2 years behind him there is not much time to develop him at the major league level.
I do not over value bench players.
They need to promote Vitters. That would be a start. Then they need to move away from platooning. Platoon
= rust and breaks rhythm.
So there is a place for him now. But I would not block Alcantara and Baez.
Now if they promote Vitters and then move Lake over to CF. Let that play out. If they suck then adjust as needed sure.
In the end Ricky needs to change or be changed. He was quoted that he wants Veras closing again because he was signed to close vs based on performance.
Meh thinks Ricky's management skills is making this team worse than it is.
