Free Agent options to shore up 2023 Boston Red Sox

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Lower-rated free agents who could help Red Sox for less money

It is that time of year when baseball management goes shopping, and the Boston Red Sox will most certainly shop. The initial shopping list is free agents, and Boston has their list of potential departures, which should free up some payroll that may be allocated to bringing in free agents. A slow dance of shifting players and payrolls.

Last season the big purchase was Trevor Story, who could replace a possibly departing Xander Bogaerts. In the past, the Red Sox have been among the most exuberant teams at tossing money to solve problems that a farm system and trades could not rectify.

Major League Baseball Trade Rumors (MLBTR) yearly feature is their designation of the top 50 free agents, a possible destination, and a projected salary. MLBTR is usually entirely accurate in its assessments.

There is more to the top 50, which often becomes the domain of the bargain hunter or cash-strapped franchises after the big ticket items are claimed. I have my selections that would either help or hinder the team in 2023 – an unknown until the season is over. I will avoid my prime target Aaron Judge. Maybe a flyer on some lesser high-profile FAs is the way to go?

Could Mitch Haniger be another Hunter Renfroe for Boston?

Mitch Haniger is no stranger to the IL, and 2022 was no exception, as the righty appeared in 57 games. Despite that, Haniger still slugged 11 home runs and provided a 26.3 SO%. Haniger’s breakout season – not to be confused with breakdown – was in 2021, when he slammed 39 dingers and bagged 100 RBI.

No illusions for the soon-to-be 32-year-old as he personifies free swinger, low average, and a ‘meh” defensive history. Still, Haniger did post a 113 wRC+ in 2022, and as a team, the Red Sox outfield had a woeful 90 wRC+.

Haniger is a high risk, as in Mt. Everest, based on his injury history. He was healthy in two seasons of his career and produced numbers similar to the departed Hunter Renfroe.

Haniger is predicted to garner a 3/39 contract that seems slightly elevated, but in today’s baseball world, just about all salaries seem elevated. Haniger is a right fielder by trade and may present a risk at Fenway Park, but expect outfield shuffling to take place.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 03: Noah Syndergaard #43 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros during the first inning in Game Five of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank Park on November 03, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

A healthy Syndergaard could top the rotation for Boston

Noah Syndergaard is a power pitcher who lost his power. Boston fans have seen that with Nathan Eovaldi and Chris Sale, where the fastball takes a siesta. You can go far back to Lefty Grove doing the same, but Lefty shrugged that off and ended up in the HOF.

The speed can be traced (hopefully) to a recovery process from Tommy John Surgery. The control was still present, with Syndergaard tossing a 1.5 BB/9, but his 5.1 K/9 in 2022 is about half of what it was in his first two MLB seasons.

Syndergaard is pegged at 3/36 by MLBTR, which is worth the risk considering this team paid a bundle to James Paxton not to pitch. If this were 2016, the now 30-year-old would be carting cash away in a wheel barrel – a very, very big wheel barrel.

The Red Sox staff is a wreck, and the reliance may be on recovering Sale and Paxton, a rookie of promise, Nick Pivetta, and whoever else they may resign – Eovaldi, Rich Hill, Michael Wacha, and the not-ready-for-prime-time arms.

The Hill, Paxton, and Wacha signings show Chaim Bloom has no issue taking risks and suffering the possible consequences. Syndergaard fits that pattern.

Durable lefty Quintana could be solid rotation insurance for Boston

Lefty José Quintana made 32 starts between Pittsburgh and St. Louis in 2022. Santana appears to be an older and left-handed version of Nick Pivetta. Middle to bottom of the rotation starter capable of getting some innings that could run the gamut from spectacular to horrifying.

Quintana is soft toss material but diligent about giving up the free pass with a career 2.6 BB/9. Last season the 34-year-old also was not a soft touch for the long ball leading the National League with just 0.4 HR/9.

Quintana has four pitches he relies on, and I have often seen batters flustered by his slow curveball and change. A Jamie Moyer with a tad more speed. Quintana exemplifies that a pitcher can be competent without triple digits by moving the ball around, having reasonable control, and trusting your defense – and trusting the Red Sox defense has an element of risk.

Quintana is being listed on 2/24, and that could be seeing a price drop. Even at that price tag, you will get a mild innings eater with 11 years of pitching experience.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 03: David Robertson #30 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning in Game Five of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank Park on November 03, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

David Robertson could close or any other bullpen duty for Boston

Right-hander David Robertson is “only” 38 years old, and I could swear he was part of the Yankees bullpen in 1964. In 2022 Robertson split time between the Cubs and Phillies, going 4-3, 2.40 in 58 games. Robertson also picked up 20 saves.

Robertson has appeared in 731 games over a 14-year career, and all his work is out of the ‘pen. Long relief, close, bridge, and anything else needed.

Robertson has been pitching chamaeleon during his career. Adapt to age and necessity with the change-up discarded a few seasons back, and the cutter is taking center stage (50.8%), joined by the curve and slider supplanting his fastball.

Robertson has long been a strikeout hurler with a career 11.9 K/9 but somewhat mitigated by occasional control issues. For the cost-conscious, Robertson is listed at 2/16, and considering the Red Sox bullpen, that may be a bargain.

Robertson certainly can still pitch and has a long history of playoff appearances (6-0, 2.78), can fill in where needed, and provide a degree of stability and security for a manager.

Tucker Barnhart could add solid catching depth for Red Sox

The Red Sox surprised by trading catcher Christian Vázquez, now a free agent, at the August 2 deadline. The solid Vázquez is listed at three years, $27M, and I doubt that payout will come from Boston. The Sox were in a catch-dumping mood and also cut ties with backup Kevin Plawecki in September.

The Red Sox made a quick move and went into trade mode for the lefty-hitting Reese McGuire, who averaged .337 over 36 games for his new team. McGuire also presented solid defensive skills, and best of all, in the Red Sox’ eyes, he comes cheap, as he won’t reach free agency until 2026.

Real ‘baseball cheap’ is his possible backup, Connor Wong, who won’t be arbitration-eligible until 2026, and won’t become a free agent until 2029. I am still deciding on the catching situation, but don’t feel comfortable with the projected tandem. Sox brass has indicated they plan to upgrade.

Tucker Barnhart is a two-time Gold Glove winner and as solid defensively as there is. Last season Barnhart received $7.750 MM from the Tigers and will not get close to that figure as a free agent. Barnhart hit only .221 last season and is a career .245 hitter and limited power. In 2022 Barnhart came in with a 63 wRC+. The catching free agent list has quite a selection but let’s assume Boston will not be dishing out big coin to rest behind the dish.

Barnhart would be an excellent insurance policy if McGuire’s offense is an illusion and Wong is just giving away at-bats. Then there is Sandy Leon, who is no stranger to free agency or DFA. I would be comfortable with Barnhart but even more comfortable if they brought back Plawecki.

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Free agent options to shore-up 2023 Boston Red Sox