The Boston Red Sox came away from baseball’s annual winter meetings this week without a significant upgrade to their roster, leaving fans outraged after they whiffed on both free agent home run hitters, Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso, despite chief baseball officer Craig Breslow stating that acquiring a “true middle-of-the-order bat that can hit the ball out of the park” would be a top priority.
Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles, a Red Sox American League East division rival. Schwarber returned to the Philadelphia Phillies on a five year deal for $150 million. Either slugger would have fit the “middle-of-the-order bat” bill that Breslow specified.
But the Red Sox are almost certainly not done yet. A full two months remain in the offseason and multiple potential trades and free agent signings are still possible. On Thursday, the hosts of the popular Red Sox podcast “Play Tessie,” which is affiliated with the Red Sox flagship radio station WEEI, suggested a tantalizing trade idea that would shake up the Boston roster — as well as the payroll.
“ Off the top of my head, spur of the moment, who says no?” said co-host Sammy James on the podcast. “Corey Seager to the Red Sox. Duran and Story to the Texas Rangers.”
Duran, the Red Sox’s five-year veteran outfielder, appears to be facing relegation to a part-time role with the emergence of rookie sensation Roman Anthony, the former No. 1 prospect in baseball, in left field. A pair of Gold Glovers in Ceddanne Rafaela in center and Wilyer Abreu in right round out the outfield.
Story would be a more problematic trade candidate. A shortstop — the same position as the Texas Rangers’ five-time All-Star Seager — who will be playing the fifth season of a six-year, $140 million contract, Story, 33, finally remained healthy through a full season this year. Over the first three years of his contract, Story played in only one of every three possible games, due to various injuries.
The Boston Red Sox came away from baseball’s annual winter meetings this week without a significant upgrade to their roster, leaving fans outraged after they whiffed on both free agent home run hitters, Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso, despite chief baseball officer Craig Breslow stating that acquiring a “true middle-of-the-order bat that can hit the ball out of the park” would be a top priority.
The Boston Red Sox came away from baseball’s annual winter meetings this week without a significant upgrade to their roster, leaving fans outraged after they whiffed on both free agent home run hitters, Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso, despite chief baseball officer Craig Breslow stating that acquiring a “true middle-of-the-order bat that can hit the ball out of the park” would be a top priority.
Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles, a Red Sox American League East division rival. Schwarber returned to the Philadelphia Phillies on a five year deal for $150 million. Either slugger would have fit the “middle-of-the-order bat” bill that Breslow specified.
But the Red Sox are almost certainly not done yet. A full two months remain in the offseason and multiple potential trades and free agent signings are still possible. On Thursday, the hosts of the popular Red Sox podcast “Play Tessie,” which is affiliated with the Red Sox flagship radio station WEEI, suggested a tantalizing trade idea that would shake up the Boston roster — as well as the payroll.
“ Off the top of my head, spur of the moment, who says no?” said co-host Sammy James on the podcast. “Corey Seager to the Red Sox. Duran and Story to the Texas Rangers.”
Duran, the Red Sox’s five-year veteran outfielder, appears to be facing relegation to a part-time role with the emergence of rookie sensation Roman Anthony, the former No. 1 prospect in baseball, in left field. A pair of Gold Glovers in Ceddanne Rafaela in center and Wilyer Abreu in right round out the outfield.
Story would be a more problematic trade candidate. A shortstop — the same position as the Texas Rangers’ five-time All-Star Seager — who will be playing the fifth season of a six-year, $140 million contract, Story, 33, finally remained healthy through a full season this year. Over the first three years of his contract, Story played in only one of every three possible games, due to various injuries.
