Oct 14, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies fans cheer as starting pitcher Aaron Nola (27) throws a pitch against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning in game three of the NLDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Which postseason stars should the Red Sox target in free agency?
Watching the postseason is always a brutal reminder that you’re not in it.
But the silver lining is that it serves as a talent showcase that can help inform an also-ran’s offseason plans.
To win a World Series, a team needs two kinds of players: the kind that gets you to the postseason, and the kind that gets you through it. A regular-season star may wilt under the bright lights in October, while an unexpected bench player might rise to the challenge. The Boston Red Sox saw that firsthand in 2018, when Mookie Betts struggled and Jackie Bradley Jr. shined.
So, even though the Sox aren’t in the postseason, hopefully, they’re watching to get an idea of which players might be worth targeting in free agency this winter.
Here are three potential targets:
Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies
Aaron Nola has spent his entire professional career with the Philadelphia Phillies, and they’d be crazy not to pick up his club option or give him an extension.
But let’s pretend for a moment that they’re ready to pull a Red Sox and cast a homegrown talent aside for some unproven free agent.
Nola is the rare pitcher who’s consistently healthy, knock on wood. Since 2017, he’s made at least 27 starts in every 162-game season and at least 32 starts each year since 2018 (2020 excluded). He’s thrown five complete games over the last three seasons, and exceeded 200 innings in three of the last four full seasons, including throwing 205 innings this year with a 3.25 ERA.
The 29-year-old righty is also totally dominating in his first postseason run. Starting Game 2 of the Wild Card series and Game 3 of the NLDS, he’s shut out the Cardinals and Braves for 12 2/3 innings with a dozen strikeouts.
If he keeps that up in the NLCS, the Phillies, Sox, or someone else will give him a hefty contract.
BOSTON, MA – JULY 8: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees pauses before a game against the Boston Red Sox on July 8, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
Aaron Judge in Boston?
Many Red Sox fans would love to see the record-breaking Yankees slugger switch sides in the rivalry.
The Sox need outfield help and more bat power, and Judge can certainly provide. He averages 49 home runs per 162 games and his plate discipline has improved dramatically. During the regular season, he led MLB in runs, home runs, RBI, on-base and slugging percentages, OPS, OPS+, and total bases. His 62nd home run broke the American League single-season record set by Roger Maris in 1961.
However, there are plenty of reasons not to pursue Judge. He’s looking for an enormous long-term contract but will turn 31 next April. He is having a stupendous season, but he struggled at Fenway for most of his career and has missed significant time due to injuries over the years. He’s also quite feast-or-famine in the postseason; over 40 career playoff games so far, he has 13 home runs, but also 62 strikeouts.
Still, the Sox should target him this offseason, if only to make the Yankees overspend.
May 29, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Trey Mancini (16) hits a single against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
Trey Mancini, Baltimore Orioles Houston Astros
Trey Mancini is actually struggling in the postseason, but his career numbers at Fenway Park are so good that he’s on this list, anyway.
He absolutely dominates in Boston. Over 39 games at America’s Most Beloved Ballpark throughout his career, he’s hit .338/.401/.563 with 51 hits, including 13 doubles, three triples, and five home runs. The 30-year-old first baseman/outfielder/DH also hits well in Baltimore (duh), the Bronx, and Toronto, and has more home runs at Yankee Stadium (7) and Tropicana Field (6) than any other opposing team’s ballpark. Considering the Sox’ struggles against the division this season, having a former rival who handles the ALE well could be a huge difference-maker next year.
While the Sox aren’t in the market for a first baseman (their cup runneth over), Mancini could play the outfield and DH now that JD Martinez will also be a free agent.
Mancini should’ve spent his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles, but bringing him back to the American League East would be the next best thing.
