Alright Boston Red Sox fans, I know we’ve been down this “interest kings” road a thousand times, including a few times in the past couple of weeks, but I wouldn’t be doing my due diligence if I didn’t bring up the latest update on one of the most sought after free agents on the market.
According to Red Sox beat reporter Chris Cotillo of MassLive, the Red Sox remain interested in former Blue Jays‘ shortstop Bo Bichette following the MLB Winter Meetings.
“The Red Sox also remain interested in high-priced free agent Bo Bichette and versatile infielder Jorge Polanco, sources said late Thursday,” Cotillo wrote Friday morning.
Bichette hasn’t been at the top of the Red Sox projected free agent board, but nevertheless, it seems there’s still a chance they’re interested in the four time MVP candidate.
Boston’s Chances of Making a Big Splash With Bichette
Considering Boston lowballed Pete Alonso according to reports coming out of the Winter Meetings, is it likely they’d be willing to shell out money to anyone other than Alex Bregman this offseason? No, definitely not.
But let’s follow some trends. The Red Sox have been notoriously skeptical of handing out long-term deals to players over the age of 30. It’s a dated strategy in my opinion, but one that Boston seems committed to following. Pete Alonso, who is on the wrong side of 30, got nothing more than a courtesy offer of less than five years from Boston, showing that this trend is still in action.
They also didn’t offer anything to Kyle Schwarber, who is 32.
What they have done in the last two seasons is give long-term extensions to young players: Roman Anthony (21), Kristian Campbell (23), Garrett Crochet (26), Ceddanne Rafaela (25), and Brayan Bello (27). They gave Trevor Story a six-year deal when he was 29.
Rafaela, Campbell, and Bello all come with their question marks, but the Red Sox believe in the strategy of “sign them young and pray.”
If this trend follows, Boston won’t be interested in guys still on the market like Eugenio Suarez (34), Cody Bellinger (30), or Framber Valdez (32). Even Bregman is 32, and they only gave him a three-year deal last season with the opt-out after year one, which leads to speculation they may not want to re-sign him.
Bo Bichette on the other hand, is 27. He’s entering the prime of his career now and his market value isn’t ridiculously high.
Why not get in on the bidding if you’re Boston. Prove to the fans that you want to invest in the future with a younger, elite player like Bichette.
Bichette Would Make Boston’s Infield Elite
IF the Red Sox find a way to snag Bichette (still don’t think it’s likely), that would lead to a likely move of Story to second base, Bichette at short, and Marcelo Mayer at third.
If Mayer becomes the player he’s expected to be and Story continues to play solid baseball, the Red Sox infield could be one of the more dangerous in the league, both at the plate and in the field.
Of course that hinges on Boston actually signing Bichette, which seems far fetched based on the penny-pinching tendencies of John Henry, but hey, a guy can dream, right?
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