Could Boston Fan-Favorite Be On Way Out? Red Sox Reportedly Sign Ex-White Sox First Baseman

What will happen next with the Red Sox?

The Boston Red Sox reportedly made a quiet move Friday morning.

With spring training fully underway, roster moves have been slow to come by but the Red Sox still are busy. Boston reportedly signed former Chicago White Sox first baseman and outfielder Daniel Palka on Friday to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training, according to WEEI's Rob Bradford. 

Good morning: The Red Sox have signed Daniel Palka pic.twitter.com/h8ktveYZzO

— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) February 24, 2023

The 31-year-old was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third round of the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft and made his professional debut in the club's farm system. Palka eventually made his Major League Baseball debut in 2018 with the Chicago White Sox and thrived in his rookie season clubbing 27 home runs, driving in 67 runs, and slashing .240/.294/.484 while finishing fifth in the rookie of the year voting. 

Palka's MLB career took a turn in 2019 and he struggled and eventually was designated for assignment by Chicago. The slugger has since spent time playing overseas, in the Washington Nationals' farm system, and most recently in the New York Mets' organization in 2022. He was solid in 2022 with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets and hit 26 home runs, drove in 79 runs, and slashed .263/.344/.506 in 109 games. 

While it's unlikely that Palka will be able to make Boston's big league club out of spring training, he does provide more competition for young slugger Bobby Dalbec. Triston Casas will be the team's everyday starting first baseman in 2023 so Dalbec already will have a smaller role. There have been rumors that the hulking infielder could be traded and the addition of Palka could add even more flame to the fire. 

If Palka is able to shine in spring training, it could make Dalbec even more available. Palka has played first base and the outfield so he could provide the club depth at multiple positions. If the Red Sox were to swing any deals, Dalbec could be a valuable trade piece -- especially if he's able to shine in spring training -- and Palka could provide the club similar depth if Dalbec were to be dealt.

More likely than not Palka wouldn't be more than a Triple-A player in the Red Sox organization but he has shown considerable power -- like Dalbec -- and plays a similar overall game. While trade rumors in general have cooled down of late with spring training beginning, maybe Friday's move could be the first domino to fall in an eventual Dalbec trade. 

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