Former Astros Star With Huge Upside May Make Sense For Red Sox On Minor League Deal

Should Boston look into signing the former Astros star?

The Boston Red Sox may be done signing players to big league deals, but that doesn't mean they won't sign any players to minor league contracts. 

Boston has had a busy offseason, to say the least, but with spring training officially underway, it's likely that the club it currently has will pretty much be the team it rolls out on Opening Day. The Red Sox added more infield depth this week with the re-signing of Yu Chang once Trevor Story was officially placed on the 60-day injured list. 

If Boston were to look for more depth and improvement, it always could opt for a minor league signing and one player it should take a second look at is former Houston Astros star Yuli Gurriel. 

The Red Sox could sign a player to a big league contract at any moment, but if they did so it would require them to designate a player on the roster for assignment which at this point in the offseason is unlikely. 

If Boston were to look for more depth and improvement, it always could opt for a minor league signing and one player it should take a second look at is former Houston Astros star Yuli Gurriel. 

The 2021 batting champion still is a free agent and his market has been extremely quiet of late. At one point it seemed likely that he would sign with the Miami Marlins but nothing has come to fruition. Surprisingly, a player of his caliber is available, but he did have a down 2022 season. In 2022, Gurriel slashed .242/.288/.360 to go along with eight home runs and 53 RBIs in 146 games played. 

Gurriel likely doesn't want a minor league contract, but he is 38 years old and will turn 39 during the 2023 campaign. The two-time World Series champion certainly is impressive but at his age may be more of a depth piece than an everyday player. 

If the Red Sox were to sign Gurriel to a minor league contract he could fight for a roster spot throughout spring training and if he ended up in the minors, could serve as a depth piece for Boston behind Triston Casas, Rafael Devers, and Justin Turner just in case any of the trio get hurt. 

Boston dealt with a wide range of injuries in 2022 so adding another veteran to the organization with a high upside on a cheap contract certainly wouldn't hurt. Gurriel may be looking elsewhere and at the end of the day may sign a big league contract, but if he continues to remain on the open market the Red Sox should check in. 

 More MLB: Red Sox Officially Take Chance On Fireballer; Sign Lefty To Minor League Contract