5 under the radar Boston Red Sox free agent options

The Boston Red Sox big offseason move could still be coming, but some low-key targets could be the difference next season in Fenway Park.

Giancarlo Stanton will not be on the Boston Red Sox roster next season. J.D. Martinez or Eric Hosmer may be, but beyond the big names, there are still some solid players that Boston could look to add.

We’ve heard the Jose Abreu rumors, the Carlos Santana rumors, and the Shohei Ohtani rumors, but nothing has really happened this offseason for the Red Sox. One of these smaller moves could be the starting put for Boston as they head in 2018 with a ton of questions still remaining.

The Red Sox would love to add a lefty or two to their bullpen, and they have a need at first base. Hanley Ramirez could play there defensively next season, but I don’t think that’s the ideal scenario for Alex Cora and Dave Dombrowski.

Here are 5 under-the-radar targets that the Boston Red Sox may have their eye on.

1B Matt Adams

Matt Adams, like Mitch Moreland in 2017, would be just a placeholder at first base until the real answer is found. He could get a two or three-year deal though. If Boston doesn’t sign Carlos Santana or Eric Hosmer, Adams is a logical fit. The 29-year old veteran has played six seasons in the majors, mostly with the Cardinals. He joined the Braves last season and performed fairly well.

Adams has a career average of .271 and has 75 home runs so far. Baseball Reference projects stats for 2018, and they think he’ll be able to put up 19 home runs and 65 RBI on the season. Last season, Moreland put up 22 home runs and 79 RBI, so the dropoff is not too significant. The difference in power numbers would be even easier to swallow if a big-time slugger is added to Boston’s lineup elsewhere.