1. Adam Frazier
If it weren't for all of the up-and-coming middle infielders in the Baltimore Orioles' farm system, Adam Frazier could have made an argument for himself as a player that the team should retain. He only spent a year in Baltimore after an alright season in Seattle, and he managed to put up similar-to-better numbers in almost 130 fewer at-bats. In 2023, he hit .240/.300/.396 with 13 home runs and 60 RBI — serviceable, to be sure, but not enough for the Orioles to retain him when their No. 1 prospect plays the same position and is more than 10 years younger.
It's possible that Frazier could play a similar role for the Red Sox, as a middleman who will be able to perform everyday — as opposed to cycling through multiple second basemen throughout the season — while talent develops in the farm system or new free agents become available in 2024. With an estimated value of $7.5 million/year, down $0.5 million from his one year contract with the Orioles, Frazier could be dealt a slightly longer, still relatively affordable contract than either Elvis Andrus or Whit Merrifield because Frazier is only 31. It's unlikely it would span more than three years, but it could buy some more time for Boston to develop prospects, keep an eye on trade opportunities, or wait for new free agents to become available.