With just a few weeks until spring training, the Boston Red Sox are still playing the free agency waiting game when it comes to right-handed bats.
Boston's 2024 lineup regularly featured five to six lefties and the team's performance against lefty pitchers suffered as a result. Right-handed bats also play particularly well at Fenway Park, where doubles often ring off the Green Monster, also a home-run hitter's best friend.
Alex Bregman and Anthony Santander are the two best right-handed bats remaining on the market and both seem destined to sign with teams in the wide-open American League. MLB Network insider Jon Morosi named the Tigers, Angels and Blue Jays as interested in Santander. Toronto has already made the slugger an offer.
Multiple sources reported earlier in the offseason that the Red Sox were pursuing Santander, as well, but their interest seems to have waned. MLB insider Mark Feinsand reported on Jan. 3 that the two parties remain connected, but there hasn't been much momentum in terms of other rumors.
Anthony Santander remains available among potential right-handed bat options for Red Sox
.@jonmorosi shares more on Anthony Santander's free agent market 👇 https://t.co/vWVGJwoi40 pic.twitter.com/WnwEwd1Td5
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 6, 2025
Both Santander and Bregman are reportedly seeking deals in the five to six-year range, but Bregman hopes to sign for around $200 million, double what Santander has requested. The Red Sox should be willing to pay whatever it takes to improve the team, especially after their third-straight playoff miss, but whether or not they will is a different story.
The Sox haven't added any power to their offense since they lost Tyler O'Neill to the division-rival Orioles in December. He mashed a team-leading 31 homers last season, and Santander is the last remaining free agent fit who can match that production. The 30-year-old slashed .235/.308/.506 with a .814 OPS and 44 home runs for Baltimore in 2024. He also earned MVP votes for the first time, along with his first All-Star nod and Silver Slugger award.
Santander would give Boston's offense a much-needed boost of power at a critical time. The Yankees got better this winter with the acquisitions of Max Fried, Devin Williams and Cody Bellinger, but the rest of the division has remained essentially the same. With just a few more additions, the Red Sox could go from good to great and make a serious push to win the AL East, as the front office promised. Adding a righty power bat will be a key piece to that puzzle, and Boston needs to make a move before a rival does to maintain its edge.