4 former Red Sox still without a job as spring training approaches
These ex-Sox are still looking for landing spots. Are any reunions possible?
There are a lot of former Red Sox sitting in the free-agent market. Some left the team recently, and others less so.
The 2023-24 offseason has been slow-going on many fronts — lots of free agents sit available and waiting for interest, and there haven't been many trades to pass the time, either. As February inches closer and the time for pitchers and catchers to report approaches, signatures for these former Boston players are likely on the horizon.
Among the unmatched Sox in the free-agent pool, some options may fit into Boston's current needs while others would be better suited elsewhere. A reunion with the Red Sox seems less and less likely by the day for many of these players, but Boston fans can dream.
Some of these guys could still be Red Sox if the ownership group's budget hadn't been so tight in recent years, which may be one of the reasons they were hesitant to come back to Boston in the first place. There are some popular former Sox in this free-agent class — fans will definitely be curious to see where some of these players end up in 2024 and beyond.
4 former Red Sox still without a job as spring training approaches
Justin Turner - INF
Turner earned fan-favorite status early in his tenure with the Red Sox last season. He and his ferocious red beard look like they belong in Boston, but a reunion between the two isn't likely to happen soon.
Turner spent the better part of his season with the Red Sox as a designated hitter, but he also rotated around the infield, highlighting his versatility. He played 146 games last season, a high number in a single season for the veteran — Turner's value hasn't decreased much with his age. He also offers a well-rounded and secure presence as a leader in any clubhouse, something that the Red Sox treasured from the 39-year-old.
Turner's age is likely one of the many factors barring him from returning to Boston. He demands more money than John Henry is willing to spend for a veteran infielder, and Turner would likely rather play for a competitive team in his last few seasons in the league. MLB insider and New York Post columnist Jon Heyman has stated that Turner could return to the Red Sox, as he fills a need for a powerful right-handed bat early in the order, but he lists the New York Mets, equally hungry for righty power, as another viable landing spot.
J. D. Martinez - DH
Martinez is another favorite among Red Sox fans, and for good reason. He made four consecutive All-Star Game appearances with Boston from 2018 to 2022. During the Sox's historical 2018 campaign, Martinez led the league in RBI and total bases, and in 2021, he led MLB in homers with 42 bombs to his name.
Martinez's last year with the Red Sox was his slowest. He finished with a .274 average and just 16 home runs and 62 RBI, relatively low numbers for the slugger. He bounced back in a big way with Los Angeles in 2023, though, hitting 33 home runs in his age-35 slate.
Martinez is finished playing in Boston, especially with Masataka Yoshida likely occupying the DH spot on its roster. His bat would be best served in an order that needs power, like the Diamondbacks, the Mets or the sans-Soler Marlins.
Who is the better DH fit for the #Mets? #LGM https://t.co/dPOfYGql02
— GENY Mets Report (@genymets) January 16, 2024
Kiké Hernández - OF
Hernández was with Boston just last season before being sent to Los Angeles and he didn't play his best baseball at that time. He struggled on both sides of the ball, making a fair few errors in the field and lacking command at the plate. In his final two seasons with Boston, his slash line was less than impressive at .260/.314/.338.
Hernández's utility is near-unmatched, though. He played second base, shortstop and center field for Boston in 2023, and multiple other positions in his previous years with the team.
The veteran utility man didn't leave Boston on the best terms after his 2022 and 2023 performances, so a reunion doesn't seem likely. There has been little noise regarding Hernández this offseason, but the Angels have expressed interest in signing him, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Tommy Pham - OF
Pham is another player with relatively little news around him this offseason. Pham arrived in Boston around the 2022 trade deadline and he played 53 games with the Red Sox. He batted .234/.298/.374 and knocked six homers and 24 RBI.
Pham played for both the Mets and the Diamondbacks in 2023. He posted 141 fewer plate appearances in 2023 than he did in 2022, but his 2023 batting average increased to .258. He also hit just one fewer home run in 2023 with 16 on his stat sheet to end the season.
The right-handed Pham could slot in well in Boston's current batting order, but he lacks the power the Red Sox need to be competitive in the American League East. There has been little vocal interest in Pham's services for the 2024 season, but he made it clear to Heyman and Joel Sherman that he wishes to play every day in an appearance on the New York Post's podcast.
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