3. Matt Carpenter
The Red Sox have reportedly been linked to Matt Carpenter, who rebounded in a big way with the New York Yankees this season.
After hitting .176/.313/.291 across 180 games between 2020-21, he slashed .305/.412/.727 in 2022 but was limited to only 47 games. Still, at 37 years old, he found a way to be productive again, and hit 15 home runs in those 47 games, including included four home runs and 14 RBI in seven games against the Sox. That would’ve tied for third-most on the Red Sox roster in 2022; Martinez only beat him by one, on the last day of the season.
Doesn’t seem like a guy on the front burner right now. More of a fallback to be clear.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 7, 2022
Of course, at this point, pretty much every free agent still on the market is a ‘fallback’ guy, because almost every top name is already off the board. But the Sox need power in their lineup; billionaire beggars can’t be choosers.
2. Luke Voit
Another former Yankee, Luke Voit was non-tendered by the Washington Nationals at the November 18 deadline, making him a free agent.
Voit was essentially a throw-in along with the hefty prospect return in the Nationals’ blockbuster Juan Soto/Josh Bell trade with the San Diego Padres, but he actually had an okay season. He struck out 179 times in 135 games but hit 22 doubles and 22 home runs, which would’ve been the second-most on the Sox roster behind Rafael Devers (27).
In his six seasons in the majors, four of which were with the Yankees, Voit is a career .254/.342/.476 hitter. He’s averaged 19 home runs over his last four seasons. He’s also done well at Fenway; 20 games isn’t a large sample size, but he’s slashed .307/.374/.507 with six doubles and three home runs.