Just three days after the Boston Red Sox had a pair of finalists for the Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards, the nominations keep rolling in for Red Sox players. On Thursday, Major League Baseball announced the Silver Slugger Award finalists, which honor the best offensive player at each position in both the American and National Leagues. 

This year, the Red Sox have two Silver Slugger nominees: First baseman Willson Contreras and right fielder Wilyer Abreu. 

After being traded to Boston in an offseason deal with the St. Louis Cardinals, Contreras had a career year in his first season in a Red Sox uniform. In 130 games, the 34-year-old was the driving force for the, at times, anemic Boston offense. He hit .275/.386/.516/.901 with a career-high 27 home runs, 21 doubles, and 81 runs driven in, which was also a career best en route to the third All-Star selection of his career. Contreras led Boston in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, home runs and RBI. 

In addition to leading the Red Sox offense, Contreras also ranked among the top four hitters in baseball in OPS (3rd) and weighted runs created plus (151, T-3rd). 

Contreras is nominated alongside Baltimore Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso for the Silver Slugger. 

It’s no surprise that the first season of full health for the three-time Gold Glove Award winner resulted in his best season at the plate. In a career-high 157 games, Abreu hit .248/.327/.446/.773 with an American League-leading 38 doubles, 24 home runs, and 76 RBI. 

For the first time in his major league career, Abreu faced left-handed pitching and surprisingly thrived. In 217 plate appearances against southpaws, Abreu hit .295/.375/.479/.854. 

Abreu is nominated alongside Seattle Mariners’ Randy Arozarena, Cody Bellinger (NYY), Chase DeLauter (CLE), Riley Greene (DET), Jac Caglianone (KC), Tristan Peters (CHW), Mike Trout (LAA), and Chandler Simpson (TB). There are three winners in the outfield category.

The Silver Slugger winners will be announced on Nov. 14. 

As Chad Tracy's staff continues to take shape, the Red Sox are reportedly hiring New York Yankees' Triple-A manager Shelley Duncan to the major league staff. A seven-year Major League Baseball veteran, Duncan has been with the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre since 2023. 

Contreras and Abreu join Tracy and starter Payton Tolle as nominees for end-of-season awards. Tracy was named a finalist for the American League Manager of the Year alongside Rays' manager Kevin Cash and Chicago White Sox skipper Will Venable. Tolle was named a finalist for the American League Rookie of the Year Award alongside Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle and Guardians starter Parker Messick.