Red Sox: Five Black Friday bargains to find in free agency
By Sean Penney
Potential bargains the Boston Red Sox could find in free agency.
The day after Thanksgiving is the top shopping day of the year for those seeking a bargain. The Boston Red Sox have the financial flexibility to spend in free agency but they have several holes to fill and that room in the budget can disappear quickly. As eager as fans are to see the front office make a big splash, they can’t go the expensive route at every position. Boston will need to find some bargains along the way.
In the spirit of Black Friday, let’s take a look at some available free-agents who the Red Sox could potentially sign without breaking the bank.
We start with the return of a familiar face. Kevin Pillar only spent half of a shortened season in Boston but he fit in well while he was here.
Pillar hit .274 with a .795 OPS, four home runs and 13 RBI in 30 games with the Red Sox before he was shipped to the Colorado Rockies at the trade deadline. Naturally, his production went up hitting at Coors Field but Pillar showed his bat is more than serviceable at Fenway.
He spent most of his time with the Red Sox platooning in right field due to the presence of Jackie Bradley Jr. in center but Pillar can handle all three outfield positions. The 31-year-old isn’t the elite defensive player he was in his prime but he still provides a solid glove that offers a short-term solution in center if Bradley Jr. leaves in free agency.
The market is thin on center field options. The Red Sox need to either bring back JBJ, pay up for George Springer or go bargain hunting. Boston signed Pillar to a 1-year, $4.25 million deal last winter and now he’s back on the market in a similar situation that should lead to a comparably affordable deal.