Red Sox could sign versatile Yankees free agent to address first base, power outage

The Boston Red Sox's search for the next impact bat is on. Craig Breslow's comments at the GM Meetings have made it clear that they are looking to add power to the lineup this offseason and raise the ceiling of the offense. He also made it sound as if money isn't going to be as much of an object this offseason as it has in previous ones.

Slugges Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso have been linked to Boston so far this offseason. The former would certainly add home run potential, but he comes with plenty of strikeouts. The latter would fill the need for right-handed pop and plug the hole at first base, but both would be very expensive for guys who will be DHs early into their contracts, if not right away in Schwarber's case.

That begs the question: are there other options? Schwarber and Alonso project to have multiple suitors, which may drive the Sox out of contention, especially as they try to re-sign Alex Bregman to a long-term deal.

Last offseason, the Yankees made a trade with the Cubs for Cody Bellinger. The deal was a salary dump for Chicago, which was trying to move off of Bellinger's $27.5 million contract. After a very successful 2023 campaign on the north side, 2024 was a massive drop-off for Bellinger. The Bronx Bombers took a chance on the former MVP to replace Juan Soto, and it worked out well.

Does Cody Bellinger check more boxes on the Red Sox checklist than fans realize?

Bellinger was a five bWAR player for the Yanks, hitting .272 with 29 homers and 98 RBIs. He spent significant time in all three outfield positions and also had a handful of games at first base. Now, headed into his age-30 season, the lefty is looking to get another massive payday and his first long-term deal.

Bellinger would fit multiple roles for the Sox. His positional versatility would see him play first at times in Boston, while also rotating in the outfield. While some Red Sox fans may scoff at paying Bellinger to play first base, the team has already made it obvious they are willing to trade from their outfield surplus. If they signed the lefty to a long-term deal, it may allow the front office to trade two outfielders either this offseason or trade another at the trade deadline.

Bellinger not only adds another power bat to the lineup but also has one of the best eyes in baseball. The 30-year-old was 91st percentile in K%, which would have been first on the Sox among qualified hitters, and 84th in Whiff%, which would have ranked second.

Bellinger wouldn't provide the power potential of Alonso or Schwarber, but his bat would still be very impactful in the Red Sox lineup. The biggest thing he provides that the others don't is versatility, and Alex Cora loves lineup flexibility.