The Boston Red Sox are probably a bit worse than when the 2022 season ended.
Yes, they have signed Masataka Yoshida and Kenley Jansen plus other relievers, but they lost perhaps their best player in Xander Bogaerts, and that definitely hurts.
In fact, the Red Sox missed out on almost every top shortstop: Bogaerts is gone, Carlos Correa is gone, and so is Trea Turner.
Boston still has one shot to bring in a great shortstop, and it is Dansby Swanson.
One would think that, after the blow of losing Bogaerts, there would be some sense of urgency to lock up Swanson, and it appears to be the case.
“Red Sox appear to be seriously considering star free agent Dansby Swanson now. Would allow them to keep Story at 2B. Swanson’s in very good shape: Cubs, Dodgers, Braves among others interested,” Red Sox insider Chris Cotillo tweeted.
Red Sox people have not ruled this out publicly or privately, FWIW. https://t.co/2Ndf809ydy
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 15, 2022
Swanson Will Likely Command A Nice Contract
Swanson has hit 52 home runs in the last two seasons, but wasn’t always this good offensively and there are questions about whether he can keep performing at this level.
With the glove, he is elite; and he can also move his legs as evidenced by his 18 stolen bases in 2022.
Swanson also won the 2021 World Series.
He probably won’t cost the Red Sox $280 million like Bogaerts cost the San Diego Padres, but it will likely exceed $100 million.
Considering the fact that Boston also needs to extend Rafael Devers to avoid another Bogaerts-like situation next year, it’s a sizable commitment.
They do seem to have competition for Swanson, but no team has more motivation to get a deal done with him than the Red Sox.
NEXT: Red Sox Insider Shares Sad Reality About The Latest Departure
Wayne MacNeil says
Bogaerts was not their best hitter. The best was Rafael Devers.