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Red Sox Rumors: George Springer the big-ticket splash we’re hungry for

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 08: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros in action against the New York Mets during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park on March 8, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 08: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros in action against the New York Mets during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park on March 8, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Red Sox were listed amongst the best free agency fits for All-Star outfielder George Springer.

If Jackie Bradley Jr. walks in free agency, the Boston Red Sox will have a major role to fill at the center field position and All-Star outfielder George Springer would be the ideal fit to fill that position.

In fact, Springer would fill a couple of roles for the Sox in 2021 and beyond.  Not only would he be a more than adequate replacement for Bradley defensively, he would give the team that top of the lineup presence they have been missing since the days Mookie Betts dominated at the leadoff position.

As ESPN’s David Schoenfield pointed out earlier in the week in pinpointing the Red Sox as one of the best fits for Springer, the three-time All-Star can’t make everything better in Boston by himself.  But he would definitely bring the bang back to that Red Sox lineup.

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"“While there is a need here, Springer is hardly enough to fix the Red Sox by himself, and it seems like they still want to work on building depth and improving the farm system before committing to a payroll that would soar over the luxury tax,” Schoenfield explained, via NESN.  “Then again, given Andrew Benintendi’s so-so 2019 performance and lost 2020 season (.102 in 54 plate appearances), Alex Verdugo is the team’s only reliable outfielder right now and there are no impact outfield bats in the upper levels of the minors.”"

The ESPN writer also listed the return of Alex Cora as a major reason why George Springer would make sense in Boston.  As a big market team, the Boston Red Sox can never be counted out when it comes to big-name free agents.

Also, when it comes to getting fans back interested in the product on the field, making a big splash in free agency would be communication to the fans that the team is focused on winning in 2021.

Why George Springer is worth the money

The Boston Red certainly learned their lesson making big-splash signings that didn’t pan out.

Rusney Castillo, Carl Crawford, Pablo Sandoval are just a few of the mistakes the team has made over recent years, but George Springer will not fit in that category and that’s because he’s a player to competitive not to perform at the highest level.

So whether it takes a four-year, $108 million contract or a five-year, $125 million deal, the Red Sox landing Springer is a commitment for both sides worth investing in.

Again, Springer is a superb outfielder who will help defensively and possibly fill the void left by Jackie Bradley Jr., and he is a power source at the top of the lineup who also fills the void left by Mookie Betts.

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Just imagine a lineup of Springer, Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, J.D. Martinez, Alex Verdugo.  Sounds fun doesn’t it?

His presence at the top of the lineup would also help Andrew Benintendi get back on tract and allow young bats like Michael Chavis and Bobby Dalbec further evolve.  In solidifying the offense with a George Springer signing, the Boston Red Sox could then turn their focus to pitching and getting that starting rotation back to being formidable.

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