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Red Sox: Free-agent targets Boston needs to be contenders in 2021

By Justin Absten

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 12: Brock Holt #12 of the Boston Red Sox pops out in the third inning during a MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 12, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 12: Brock Holt #12 of the Boston Red Sox pops out in the third inning during a MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 12, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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JUPITER, FL – MARCH 07: Roberto Osuna #54 of the Houston Astros in action against the St. Louis Cardinals during a spring training baseball game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 7, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. The Cardinals defeated the Astros 5-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FL – MARCH 07: Roberto Osuna #54 of the Houston Astros in action against the St. Louis Cardinals during a spring training baseball game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 7, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. The Cardinals defeated the Astros 5-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Osuna’s elite talent outweighs his risk for the Red Sox

Over the past six years, there have not been many people who have been better closing out games than Roberto Osuna of the Houston Astros. At the age of 25, the right-hander will be hitting free agency this offseason, let go by the Astros as they were projected to have to pay him $10 million next season.

Over the course of his career, Osuna has held a 2.74 ERA with a 0.905 WHIP. When healthy, he is one of the game’s best, but I have reason to believe he will not find that $10 million payout next season.

Beyond the fact that he has his well documented issues both on and off the field, and that teams do not have that much to spend due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Osuna is attempting to rehab a torn UCL rather than get Tommy John surgery. Baseball fans know what ends up happening most of the time when players take this route, and it is not good.

Now, I am not suggesting that Boston goes out and breaks the bank on Osuna because again, all else aside, he is rejecting Tommy John surgery. However, there is the chance that Osuna can rehab and be perfectly fine, which in that case makes him the steal of the season. Brad hand is expected to receive an offer of less than $10 million a year, and he’s healthy and elite. Using that logic, who’s to say Boston can’t get Osuna in on $5-6 million per year at the current going rate?

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There is a lot of risk, but in bringing back Alex Cora, Osuna can be handled and matured. Taking a chance on one of the game’s elite closers who is only 25 years old, I’m all on it. I think that even with the risk associated with Osuna, Boston would be foolish not to pursue him if his going rate is as low as $5-6million per year. The bullpen needs help desperately, adding one of the game’s best could lead to an instant fix.

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