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10 free agents the Red Sox should target when the lockout ends

By Daniel Fox

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 10: Kyle Schwarber #18 of the Boston Red Sox hits a solo homerun in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during Game 3 of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 10, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 10: Kyle Schwarber #18 of the Boston Red Sox hits a solo homerun in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during Game 3 of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 10, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 02: Eddie Rosario #8 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after the team’s 7-0 victory against the Houston Astros in Game Six to win the 2021 World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 02, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 02: Eddie Rosario #8 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after the team’s 7-0 victory against the Houston Astros in Game Six to win the 2021 World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 02, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Red Sox free-agent target – OF Eddie Rosario

Before settling on Hunter Renfroe and Enrique Hernandez in the 2020 offseason, the Red Sox made a strong push for Eddie Rosario. While he eventually signed with the Indians and the Red Sox moved on to other options, Rosario returns to the free-agent market a year later with the Red Sox still appearing like a good fit.

A lot has changed in a year, however. Like many of his Cleveland teammates, Rosario underperformed with the Indians (.685 OPS) before being shipped to the Braves at the trade deadline. The move was an unequivocal home run, as Rosario helped lead Atlanta to the division title by slugging .573 in 33 games and became a legend with his remarkable October (.337/.402/.592). While it may have seemed at first Rosario was just a half-season replacement for the injured Ronald Acuna Jr., it is difficult to imagine the Braves letting him walk.

From a Red Sox perspective, Rosario would be a great match. If the team is serious about competing, they will not go into the season with Jackie Bradley Jr. holding a starting spot. Rosario has proven himself as a consistently above-average hitter, as he slashed .281/.317/.493 from 2017-2020 and averaged 30 HR and 103 RBI per 162 games. He would provide an immediate upgrade over Bradley Jr. and give the Red Sox another left-handed power bat to compliment Rafael Devers.

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