The Boston Red Sox made a key move earlier this morning to strengthen their lineup, adding veteran slugger Adam Duvall on a one-year, $7 million contract.
The deal also includes an additional $3 million in incentives.
Boston’s offseason has been an odd one.
They were outbid on three key free agents and lost Xander Bogaerts to the San Diego Padres.
Trevor Story also went down with an elbow injury.
However, they’ve signed Kenley Jansen and Corey Kluber to bolster the pitching staff and also added Japanese slugger Masataka Yoshida and veteran Justin Turner prior to the Duvall signing.
On Twitter, Red Sox analyst Jared Carrabis expressed excitement over the team’s latest move.
Very happy with this move. https://t.co/ZzyJDhDJ6I
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) January 18, 2023
For Boston, it has been a productive offseason, despite a few hiccups along the way.
The Duvall signing comes a few weeks after the team extended third baseman Rafael Devers.
With Story out, Duvall gives the Red Sox a little flexibility.
He provides solid defense in the outfield, which would allow the team to slide Enrique Hernandez to shortstop while they wait for Story to return.
Duvall can also be used as a designated hitter and could potentially spell Bobby Dalbec at first base on occasion.
The Red Sox are looking to rebound from a disappointing finish in 2022.
After a surprise run to the ALCS in 2021, the team couldn’t follow it up with another successful season, and instead finished at the bottom of the American League East with a record of 78-84.
But incremental improvements have been made and the team appears to be attempting to build a contending roster.
NEXT: The Red Sox Ink A Key Free Agent