Okay, so who was the true MVP for the Boston Red Sox this season? That’s been the big question swirling around Fenway, and honestly, a lot of folks point straight to Willson Contreras. The guy’s OPS was the third-highest among qualifiers across the league, and he was just so rock-solid and consistent all year long. He was literally the heart of that team from day one to the end, even through all the ups and downs this year threw at them.
Who Really Stepped Up?
Contreras absolutely deserves that shoutout for MVP. He was a steady force. But you know who else made a ridiculously strong case? Ceddanne Rafaela. Seriously, the jump in his offensive production this year was insane, and it came right alongside that all-world defense we already knew he had. Who knows if that 113 OPS+ will stick around as the new normal, but he straight up improved his average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage every single year of his still-young career. Plus, he snagged a first-time All-Star nod. That’s a massive season for any player. Sonny Gray and Wilyer Abreu also deserve some major props for their efforts, no doubt about it.
The Unsung Hero of the Streak
But let’s talk about Caleb Durbin for a second, because this is where it gets wild. While a lot of people are pushing for Contreras or Rafaela, there’s a strong argument Durbin was the real MVP. And frankly, that’s both a massive credit to him and, well, a bit of a knock on the team overall. Remember that absolutely sensational 32-5 stretch the Summer Sox went on in what was otherwise a total disaster of a season? During that run, Garrett Crochet, Roman Anthony, and Trevor Story weren’t even there. Ranger Suarez was mostly hurt. Connelly Early got hurt and then traded. Even Contreras, who had a fantastic year, was either suspended or banged up for ten of those games, and get this: the team still went 9-1 in those games he missed or didn’t finish. So, who was there, playing in every single one of those 32 wins? Caleb Durbin. And he was not just “there,” he was posting an unbelievable .885 OPS. After revamping his swing, Durbin also put up the highest WAR of anyone on the team from May 28th onward. That’s a truly surprising, game-changing performance from a guy who just kept showing up.
The Plate Appearance Problem
Now, on the flip side of that MVP coin, we gotta talk about the team’s LVP. Jarren Duran. Man, that was tough to watch. He just kept finding his way into the lineup, game after game, and he just could not stop not hitting the ball. His glove was solid, yeah, but a 76 OPS+? That should not warrant 600 at-bats. It’s hard to justify over 600 plate appearances for a guy who barely hit his body weight, rocking a .207 average compared to his 205 pounds. The dude went 20-20, which is cool and all, but that OPS is just brutal for that many trips to the plate. What a head-scratcher.
What a wild, up-and-down season for the Red Sox, huh? With guys like Contreras showing pure heart, Rafaela taking a massive leap, and Durbin stepping up huge when it counted most, it was a year defined by some truly contrasting performances.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Over the Monster.
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