Fansided · Mar 12, 2017
Red Sox: Who will be the bat off the bench in 2017?
The Boston Red Sox have a dynamic offense, but will they have a bat off the bench capable of getting that crucial late game hit? Will they find a Jonny Gomes for 2017?
The introduction of the designated hitter drastically alters one aspect of baseball – the pinch-hitter or cold bat off the bench. A special talent is needed to pinch-hit and some have made a career out of that one specific ability.
The National League certainly has a need since they had pitchers hit for a league average of just .135 in 2016. That appears to be the capabilities season after season. In comparison, American League pitchers managed to hit .100 in 2016.
