Hernandez: Red Sox settling for last place is unacceptable

Boston Red Sox veteran utility player Enrique Hernandez expects more out of the team this season and will not accept finishing in last place again.

"I don't think this is an organization that should settle for last place," Hernandez said, according to the Boston Globe's Alex Speier.

"We are an organization that should be competing year in and year out, and we need to find a way to get back into that winning mentality."

Hernandez said he felt like the Red Sox were comfortable sitting in last and expects the club to play in October this campaign.

The Red Sox finished last season with 78 wins, their lowest win total in a non-shortened campaign since 2015.

Boston's front office drew criticism after allowing shortstop Xander Bogaerts and designated hitter J.D. Martinez to leave in free agency while attempting to fill the voids and build a stronger bullpen with Hernandez's old Los Angeles Dodgers teammates Justin Turner and Kenley Jansen.

The organization also extended star third baseman Rafael Devers and agreed to deals with Masataka Yoshida, Corey Kluber, Adam Duvall, Chris Martin, and a slew of others this offseason. However, Boston's still expected to finish with 82 wins based on early projections.