The Boston Red Sox were in the hunt for a powerful right-handed bat during the 2023-24 offseason. Adam Duvall could have been the solution.
The outfielder spent the 2023 season with Boston and expressed interest in a reunion. MLB insider Jon Heyman reported that Duvall was likely to choose between the Red Sox and Angels as his destination. He didn't end up picking either.
Over a month after Heyman's update, Duvall signed with the Braves, his former club of five years. Duvall shared with Chris Cotillo of MassLive that his decision actually came down to Boston and Atlanta, rather than Anaheim.
The outfielder expected to return to the Red Sox after a solid season with the club. He batted .247/.303/.531 and hit 21 home runs for Boston in 2023. But he felt he was undervalued in all of the front office's contract offers and opted to sign with Atlanta. Duvall said he and Boston had discussions throughout his stint as a free agent, but the two parties never got close on a deal.
Adam Duvall felt undervalued by Red Sox during free agency process
By the time Duvall signed, the Red Sox's outfield was already packed. Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Rob Refsnyder, Tyler O'Neill, and Ceddanne Rafaela, at that juncture, were all in need of homes in the outfield. Not to mention Boston's designated hitter, Masataka Yoshida, can also play in the pastures.
"Being able to make that play in that situation last night, it was fun. It was cool. I'm glad I could help my team win."
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) May 8, 2024
Adam Duvall's run-saving catch in the series opener could very well have been a game-saving catch for the Braves. pic.twitter.com/ofA9L0K4I4
The Red Sox didn't need Duvall, which might explain the disappointing contract offer, but he isn't the only player they lowballed over the offseason — they didn't offer Teoscar Hernández a salary increase in their negotiation discussions, and Boston was later mocked for its pitiful effort. Jorge Soler recently revealed that he and the Red Sox never got close to a deal this winter.
Boston's recent habit of being cheap has been revealed, and there's a good chance it comes back to bite them. The Red Sox have undervalued players for years now, and it's already showing in the type of talent that comes to play in Boston.
The Red Sox lack star power, and it's been their own fault — not to say that Duvall would've brought more attention to the team had he signed. But as the number of players Boston has slighted continues to grow, other players' desire to play for the Red Sox decreases, and they'll be doomed to repeat the cycle.