Red Sox Eyeing All-Star Slugger In Free Agency After Career Year
The Boston Red Sox's biggest need is in the starting rotation this offseason, but more work still needs to be done.
Boston could use another right-handed bat in the lineup. The Red Sox signed two-time All-Star Justin Turner and he was one of the club's best hitters in 2023. Although this is the case, he likely will be playing elsewhere in 2024.
Turner declined his player option with the Red Sox and now is a free agent. There have been rumblings that he could be back in Boston, but at this point that is unlikely. One other player the club could pursue is former Miami Marlins slugger Jorge Soler, according to The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey.
"The Red Sox clearly need pitching and that has to be a priority if they plan to compete in 2024," McCaffrey said. "But the offense is still lacking with Justin Turner and Adam Duvall departing in free agency. The market for pitching figures to be fierce so the Red Sox might take an opportunity to add to the offense first while agents are sorting through pitching offers and teams are mulling trade options.
"We've noted that adding at second base is a necessity, but adding another right-handed bat to further deepen the lineup would only help. Among the free agents available who could rotate through the designated hitter spot are corner outfielders Teoscar Hernández and Jorge Soler and first baseman Rhys Hoskins. A reunion with (Justin Turner) also still seems possible."
Soler has spent the last two seasons with the Marlins and has impressed. He earned the first All-Star nod of his career in 2023 and launched 36 home runs, drove in 75 runs, hit 24 doubles, and slashed .250/.341/.512 in 137 games.
The 31-year-old would be a very solid pickup if the Red Sox opted to go that route. It's unclear how likely a move is, though, with the starting rotation the priority.
More MLB: Pair Of Rising Stars Linked To Red Sox In Possible Offseason Major Trade
