Latest Red Sox free agency rumor makes no sense with current roster construction

One of the 2024 Boston Red Sox's biggest shortcomings was the lack of right-handed hitters on the roster. Their lefty-heavy order cost them against left-handed pitchers, and adding righties is sure to be a priority this offseason.

Recently, the Red Sox have been linked to righty shortstop Willy Adames. He's an impending free agent expected to be too expensive for the Brewers to retain long-term.

Connections between Adames and the Sox began with a column in which Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic proposes that Boston could trade Triston Casas to accommodate more righties in the infield. The options include Adames and longtime Astro Alex Bregman. Chris Cotillo of MassLive recently reported that some members of the Red Sox front office "value Adames highly and would love to see him in Boston."

Adames would bring right-handed pop and quality defense to the Sox's lineup. He slashed .251/.331/.462 with a .794 OPS, 33 doubles, 32 homers and 112 RBI for Milwaukee in 2024. His defense clocked in just above league average, and despite his middling speed, he swiped 21 bags.

Adames' offense would boost Boston's lineup and stabilize its questionable middle infield defense. But besides the home run pop, those are things a healthy Trevor Story could do.

Red Sox adding Willy Adames could create unnecessary roster complications

The Red Sox haven't gotten a full season of work from Story since he joined the team in 2022 — he's been absolutely ravaged by the injury bug since his move from Colorado. But if he can post a full, healthy season, Boston has no need for Adames. Story slashed .255/.340/.394 with seven doubles, two homers and 10 RBI over a tiny sample of 26 games in 2024. He came up in key moments during the Sox's Wild Card chase, and his defense and leadership changed the game for them.

Adames is projected to land a contract in the $100-200 million range, which is pricey for Boston'a recent spending pattern. Story is slated to make $22.5 million in 2025, and adding another expensive shortstop doesn't make sense unless one can move to second or third base. But the Red Sox's roster could make that exceptionally complicated.

Boston's roster is packed with middle infielders. Story, Vaughn Grissom, Nick Sogard, David Hamilton, Ceddanne Rafaela, Enmanuel Valdez and top prospects Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell will all compete for middle infield spots at spring training, barring any trades. Rafael Devers also can't easily move from third base with Masataka Yoshida as Boston's everyday designated hitter.

While Adames would be a great fit for the Red Sox's batting order, their current infield alignment and contract price with the shortstop would not make sense for them. Boston hasn't been considered a serious contender for the veteran, and it probably shouldn't be, given its lineup logjam.

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