The 2024 offseason is still young, but the Boston Red Sox have been linked to a fair few high-profile free agents, including shortstop Willy Adames.
At first, the links between Adames and Boston were merely speculative — the Red Sox have plenty of infielders in the big leagues and even more prospects on the way. But the Sox's interest in the infielder has been confirmed by MLB Network's Jon Morosi.
Morosi also named the Astros, Braves and Blue Jays as other teams interested in Adames and said that the market for him is "broad." Adames stated that he'd be willing to move from shortstop to play other infield positions in the future.
Red Sox linked to former Brewer Willy Adames, who is willing to move off shortstop
If the Red Sox were to sign Adames, he could play second base to put an end to the revolving lineup of second basemen they've had to field in recent years. Even without any new additions, Boston has plenty of middle infielders to choose from, with everyday corners in Rafael Devers and Triston Casas, and Trevor Story, Ceddanne Rafaela, David Hamilton, Enmanuel Valdez, Vaughn Grissom, Romy González, Nick Sogard, Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer all gunning for roster spots up the middle.
Potential Red Sox free agent target Nick Martinez accepts qualifying offer from Reds
The deadline for players to accept or decline qualifying offers is Nov. 19, but veteran pitcher Nick Martinez decided early. The 34-year-old accepted the $21.05 million offer to stay in Cincinnati for another year.
The Red Sox extended a qualifying offer to Nick Pivetta, who seems primed to reject it. Martinez could've been a solid replacement option for Boston's rotation had he declined the Reds' offer.
Martinez posted a career-low 3.10 ERA over a career-high 142.1 innings last season. The righty clocked a 1.03 WHIP, 116 strikeouts and just 18 walks, good for a 99th-percentile walk rate. If he became a free agent, the Red Sox could've pursued him to fill Pivetta's spot as a veteran presence in the back of the rotation.
MLB insider Jeff Passan confirms Red Sox's link to Blake Snell
Blake Snell is a free agent for the second offseason in a row after he was expected to sign a long-term deal last winter. Teams around the league will now have another chance to sign Snell for years, and the Red Sox are among the invested parties.
MLB insider Jeff Passan confirmed Boston's interest in the lefty on Yahoo! Sports' "Baseball Bar-B-Cast" podcast. He said the Sox have been "talking" to Snell and fellow southpaw free agent, Max Fried.
Snell posted a 3.12 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP, 145 strikeouts and 44 walks over 104.0 innings with the Giants in 2024. The veteran has only posted over 130 frames twice in his nine-year career and isn't exactly an innings eater, but he'd bring elite, 98th-percentile strike-throwing ability and a veteran presence to Boston's pitching staff, both of which it needs.