Red Sox Reportedly Have Three Free-Agent Targets, Solution To Shortstop Dilemma

Boston reportedly has a full plan for the offseason

Scott Neville | Jan 20, 2023

Red Sox Reportedly Have Three Free-Agent Targets, Solution To Shortstop Dilemma /

In this story:

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox reportedly have a cluster of free-agent fits on the radar as well as a plan to fill the void left behind by star shortstop Xander Bogaerts.

It sounds as if the Red Sox are far from done with the 2023 roster construction, but appear to have a full-fledged plan.

"The Red Sox are working late," the New York Post's Jon Heyman wrote Thursday. "After agreeing to terms with Adam Duvall for $7 million and with Jorge Alfaro and Raimel Tapia on minor league deals, they are considering Elvis Andrus, Josh Harrison and perhaps Jurickson Profar.

"The Red Sox seem to believe Kiké Hernández can handle shortstop and like Harrison as someone who can play all over (including occasionally at short)."

Andrus appears to be the most logical solution to bolster the shortstop position, while Harrison could split time with Christian Arroyo between second base and their respective utility roles.

Red Sox Seeking Multiple Middle Infielders; Here Are Three Strong Free-Agent Fits

Profar does not seem to be much of a fit on the roster. He can play multiple positions, but he's a poor defender around the diamond. How much value does versatility really add if you are below average at each position? Not enough for Boston to invest in.

Should the Red Sox add both Andrus and Harrison, it would leave Hernández's role up in the air -- but his versatility will be much needed, especially as more injuries inevitably come into play during the 162-game season.

Hernández is a fine shortstop, but he's a top-tier defensive center fielder. Boston should be doing everything it can to keep him in the outfield.

More MLB: Young Red Sox Pitcher Reportedly Drawing 'Significant' Trade Interest

Published Jan 20, 2023

SCOTT NEVILLE

Scott Neville covers the Boston Red Sox for Sports Illustrated's new page "Inside The Red Sox." Before starting "Inside The Red Sox", Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate and current co-worker Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series" where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join the Sports Illustrated Media Group in his current endeavor as the publisher of "Inside The Red Sox." The successful launch and quick rise of "Inside The Red Sox" led to Neville joining the Baseball Essential ownership group, a national baseball site under SIMG. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: nevilles@merrimack.edu