If you look at the Red Sox’s needs this offseason, the starting rotation punches you in the face as the most obvious answer. They need multiple front-end starters to help fix the dreaded rotation of the past couple of seasons. That being said, there are also secondary needs that likely won’t be addressed with a major name or big contract. Looking across the MLB and those available in free agency, I came up with five names that aren’t being discussed enough, who are quality fits for the 2024 Red Sox. Let’s take a look at five under-the-radar Red Sox targets.
1. Sign 2B Adam Frazier
Embed from Getty ImagesAs you should expect, none of these names are ones you’d be screaming for the Red Sox to sign or acquire via trade. The point here is more about filling needs and fits knowing that a star isn’t going to fill every one the Red Sox have.
Adam Frazier fits the Red Sox if they choose not to spend at 2B, which is a logical path considering they have prospects coming in the middle infield within a year or so. He’s a left-handed hitter that has been an average bat for most of his career. Defensively, he’s coming off possibly the worst season of his career. Depending on how you view that, you can view it as a downtrend or an outlier for a player who’s been solid for most of his career. Nevertheless, he can play multiple positions and fits a current need.
Overall, Frazier isn’t a name that is going to get anyone excited. If they spent heavily at other positions and entered 2024 with a platoon between Frazier and Reyes, it wouldn’t be the worst situation in the short term.
2. Trade for IF/OF Tommy Edman
Embed from Getty ImagesRed Sox Receive: IF/OF Tommy Edman
Cardinals Receive: P Bryan Mata (SP #27), C Brooks Brannon (SP #35), & 3B/2B Chase Meidroth (SP #12)
Tommy Edman represents a great fit for the Red Sox right now. He is a switch-handed hitter who can play both middle infield spots and across the outfield. Edman offers up premier defense, versatility in the lineup, and good speed. The flexibility he could bring Alex Cora with the day-to-day lineup is extremely attractive. Edman is under team control through the 2025 season.
Regarding the trade, the Red Sox ship out Bryan Mata, Brooks Brannon, and former 2nd round pick Chase Meidroth. The Cardinals get a talented young hitting prospect in Meidroth and look to get Mata back on track. Red Sox land Edman with the plan of him playing plenty of 2B while mixing in elsewhere as needed.
3. 3B/OF Brian Anderson
Embed from Getty ImagesBrian Anderson comes in as an option that most people probably won’t even know who he is. As I mentioned before, this is another player that fills a potential need. I’d think of Anderson as a more versatile option over Refsnyder.
After a few quality years in Miami, Anderson’s bat has dropped off the past two seasons, with minimal power and speed as well. The fit comes primarily defensively where Anderson is solid and can play both OF and 3B. Both were positions that were issues defensively for the Red Sox in 2023. I’d think of Anderson as a low-end option to be a bench player for the Red Sox and give Devers and Yoshida games at DH.
4. Trade for 2B Brandon Drury
Embed from Getty ImagesAngels Receive: 2B Enmanual Valdez & P Alex Hoppe
Red Sox Receive: 2B Brandon Drury
Brandon Drury was a trade deadline target of mine. He has played over 65 games each at 2B, 1B, and 3B over the past two seasons. He also has outfield experience from previous years. Over 485 at bats, Drury hit .262 with 26 HR’s and a 114 OPS+ in 2023. He would bring an uncommon level of power from the second base position.
Combine Drury’s defensive versatility with a quality RHH bat, and he fits well into what the Red Sox are looking for right now.
5. Sign OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Let’s end this with a bit more of an exciting player. Lourdes Gurriel Jr provides a lot of what the Red Sox need at the moment. He’s a right-handed hitter who can provide a quality bat and glove. A potential signing of Gurriel Jr would signal a plan to create a platoon with Yoshida between LF and DH. Both players can split time at each spot. Gurriel Jr would be a solid replacement for Justin Turner in the lineup.
Over 592 at-bats for the NL Champion Diamondbacks, he hit .261 with 24 home runs and a .772 OPS.
Winning Decisions
It’s easy to look at the big names and contracts when discussing the odds of a championship. However, it shouldn’t be overlooked what the secondary pieces can do to help a team win. For the Red Sox, second base is a clear example of that. They may not want to overspend on the position, but they need to properly address it. In my opinion, Tommy Edman fits perfectly what this team needs right now. The price shouldn’t be very high and Craig Breslow should be aggressive in making a move.
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Featured Image: G Flume/Getty Images
