Red Sox: Three non-tendered outfielders to target in free agency
By Sean Penney
The Red Sox should consider signing these non-tendered outfielders
The non-tender deadline sent dozens of players to the free-agent market when their former clubs decided they were no longer worth the investment and declined to offer them a contract for the 2021 season. As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. While another team was willing to part ways with these players, the Boston Red Sox can find some value in these free-agents.
The outfield is one area that will need to be addressed this offseason. The options to replace Jackie Bradley Jr. in center field are extremely thin unless Boston shells out a lucrative deal for George Springer. The talent available in free-agency drops off quickly at the position but the list of non-tendered players provides a little more depth.
Even if the Red Sox bring back Bradley Jr., they may still consider a right-handed bat for their bench to complement their lefty-heavy outfield trio. There are several non-tendered right-handed hitters who aren’t viable center fielders but can provide value as a fourth outfielder.
The list of non-tendered players includes a few names that stand out, including Kyle Schwarber, Eddie Rosario and Nomar Mazara. As left-handed hitters who can only play a corner outfield spot, none of them fit what the Red Sox are looking for.
The players we’re focusing on have some flaws but they each provide a skill set that the Red Sox need. They should be affordable considering their former team projected their value on the open market to be less than what they would have earned in arbitration, allowing Boston to allocate more of their budget to upgrading the pitching staff.