Sep 27, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Anderson (31) throws a pitch against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Who will be the Red Sox’ surprise free-agent signings this offseason?
The 2023 Boston Red Sox will be a drastically different team than the one so haphazardly assembled in 2022.
Several players are gone via free agency and hopefully, more will follow if the Sox finally cut the cord at the non-tender deadline.
Who will replace those who’ve departed? Here are three somewhat unexpected free agents the Sox might target this offseason…
Tyler Anderson
Even though the Red Sox are putting Garrett Whitlock in the starting rotation next year along with Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, Chris Sale, and James Paxton, Jon Morosi reported Thursday that the Sox are one of the teams interested in Anderson.
Before this season, the numbers would suggest that Anderson was a pretty mediocre pitcher. Over 117 career games between 2016-21, he had a 4.62 ERA, 4.43 FIP, and 1.315 WHIP. Opposing batters hit .264/.318/.459 against him. He spent the first four years of his big-league career with the Colorado Rockies before pitching for the San Francisco Giants in 2020 and splitting the 2021 season between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Seattle Mariners, who acquired him at the deadline.
But Anderson is coming off a strong season in Los Angeles, a breakout year at the age of 32. The southpaw was an All-Star for the first time in 2022, posting a career-best 2.57 ERA over 30 games, including 28 starts. He succeeded by inducing soft contact, because he’s not a huge strikeout guy, and he introduced a revamped changeup. During the Dodgers’ shortlived postseason run, he pitched five shutout innings to start the deciding game.
Anderson will turn 33 at the end of December, so he’s likely looking to capitalize on his recent success in SoCal with a longer-term deal than the QO the Dodgers extended. The Sox can absolutely afford to sign him. The question is, will he be worth it?
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 08: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs heads from the dugout to the bullpen before a game against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field on August 08, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
Willson Contreras
Even though the Sox currently have Reese McGuire and Connor Wong under club control for several years, they’ve made it clear that they’re going to try and improve that position.
Meanwhile, much like the Sox with Xander Bogaerts, the Chicago Cubs made little effort to retain their own homegrown star, Willson Contreras, and now he’s a free agent.
From an offensive standpoint, Contreras is the best catching option on the market this offseason. He’s a career .256/.349/.466 hitter over seven big-league seasons, and averages 29 doubles and 26 home runs per 162 games.
The Cubs extended a Qualifying Offer to Contreras, so the Sox would be penalized even worse if they sign him since they were over the luxury tax threshold in 2022. In addition to the hefty salary he’ll command, he’d cost them $1M in international pool money and their second- and fifth-round picks.
Of course, the Sox could also try to bring Christian Vázquez home. He’s previously indicated an interest in returning to the team, but now that he’s a reigning World Series champion and just caught the second no-hitter in World Series history, expect his asking price to rise.
BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 08: Trey Mancini #16 of the Baltimore Orioles warms up against the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 8, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
Trey Mancini
Until the 2022 trade deadline, Trey Mancini had spent his entire big-league career in the American League East, so bringing him back to the division would make sense.
The former Oriole’s career numbers at Fenway Park are impressive. Over 39 games, he’s hit .338/.401/.563 with 51 hits, including 13 doubles, three triples, and five home runs. His hits, doubles, 30 RBI in Boston are the most he’s collected anywhere other than Baltimore.
Here’s how he hits at the other ballparks in the division:
Toronto (34): .299/.357/.504, 9 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR
New York (42): .250/.321/.419, 8 doubles, 7 HR
A left-fielder/first baseman/DH, Mancini wouldn’t quite be able to replicate JD Martinez’s power in the DH spot, but over his six-year career, he’s averaged 24 doubles and 21 home runs. Of course, the Sox don’t really need a third first baseman, but if he can play the outfield and DH, he might be the perfect fit.
