No. 2: Brock Holt
This right here is a longshot but it is also one of my favorite options if the Red Sox can pull it off. Brock Holt is one of the biggest fan favorites in recent memory at Fenway Park. It didn’t matter if he was starting or coming off the bench when the manager looked to him, he came through.
Remember that weird one inning continuation game against the Royals where he hit the walk-off single just a day after not being used because he was a lefty? Awesome.
Holt is currently a free-agent and despite some whispers here and there from the Blue Jays and Reds, he has yet to sign a deal. In the wake of the Betts trade now would be the perfect time to bring him back to Boston. The organization needs to do some damage control and re-signing Holt would be a step in the right direction.
In 2019, Holt played four of the five infield positions and two of the three in the outfield. He is the dictionary definition of versatile. The Red Sox could bring him back for a reasonable 3 years/$12M and when a good replacement for Betts is found, he can be rotated throughout the rest of the lineup.
Brock is not only beloved by his teammates but by the community, thanks to the charity work that he does and having his spirit back in Boston would be massive.
With Betts and David Price both coming off the books there is more than enough money in the bank to give Holt an offer he can’t refuse. He can play rightfield fresh out of the gate and can also cover the rest of the outfield if the skipper wants to shuffle things around as the season progresses.
Moral of the story? Bring back, Brock Holt!