3 unexpected free-agent signings Red Sox could make this offseason

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.