It’s safe to say the Boston Red Sox were the overachievers of the 2021 season. In a crowded AL East division, the Sox emerged as the best team of the bunch, and ended up making a run all the way to the ALCS before losing to the Houston Astros in six games. Even with the tough loss, there was still a lot to like about the way the Sox played this season.
One of the main reasons for their unexpected success was the play of their outfield. Coming into the season, the Sox figured they would pretty much deploy a platoon in their outfield with a number of guys for most of the year. That didn’t happen, as Alex Verdugo, Kike Hernandez, and Hunter Renfroe quickly cemented themselves into their respective positions in the outfield for the majority of the season.
All three guys were key to Boston’s postseason run, but Boston may want to look into adding some help in the outfield this offseason. The main idea in mind would be to add a center fielder so that Hernandez could shift over to second base, which conveniently happens to be one of the Red Sox biggest needs this offseason. But there are other possible routes that could be forged as well.
All three of these guys are going to be in the lineup come next season, but where they play in the field remains to be seen. The Sox have so much versatility in their team that they can do a number of different things with their lineup, and the possibilities are exciting. Let’s take a look at three free agent outfielders that the Boston Red Sox could be sign this offseason.
Boston Red Sox free agent target No. 3: Chris Taylor
If the Red Sox really want to add to their positional versatility for next season, then Chris Taylor would be their guy. Similar to his former Los Angeles Dodgers teammate in Hernandez, Taylor has developed himself into a jack-of-all-trades, and he can play pretty much anywhere on the field. It’s easier to tell you which positions he can’t play, which are first base and catcher, than the ones that he can play.
Not only does Taylor play pretty much everywhere on the field, but he also swings a pretty decent bat. Taylor broke out in 2017 when he hit .288 with 21 homers and 72 runs batted in, but he hasn’t really been able to hit those heights ever since. He had his first 20 homer season in 2021 since his breakout campaign with Los Angeles a few years back, and hit a decent .254 for the season.
Taylor also has a penchant for playing at his best when the lights are the brightest. He was the co-MVP of the 2017 NLCS, and his three homer game in Game 5 of this year’s NLCS single-handedly kept the Dodgers season alive. Taylor’s postseason heroics would make him a good fit for a team that now has World Series expectations.
Adding Taylor would give Boston a lot of options heading into the 2022 season. They could keep Hernandez is center field and opt to put Taylor at second base, or vice versa. Taylor is 31 and will probably look for a multi year deal, and if the price falls below the $15 million range, the Sox should be all in on him.
Taylor is another versatile hitter that would be a perfect fit in Boston’s lineup. Fresh off his first ever All Star berth, Taylor appears to be right in the middle of his peak years, and the Sox would be wise to look into adding him to their squad. It worked out pretty well with Hernandez in his first season in Boston, so why not take a chance with Taylor?
Boston Red Sox free agent target No. 2: Nick Castellanos
Nick Castellanos had spent much of his career looking like a player on the verge of putting all the pieces together, but he just never seemed to be able to. That all changed during his second season with the Cincinnati Reds, and Castellanos cemented himself as one of the top hitters in baseball.
Castellanos finished the season hitting .309 with 34 home runs and 100 RBI’s at the heart of the Reds lineup. He seemed to hit the next level in terms of power, as this was his first season with 30+ home runs. Castellanos rightfully earned his first All Star appearance, and helped Cincy make a short run for a postseason spot in the second half of the season.
Castellanos’ swing would simply be tailor-made for Fenway Park. Of the 34 home runs Castellanos hit last season, 22 of them were hit to either left or left center field, which is the ideal spot to hit a fly ball at Fenway. With the Green Monster sitting just 310 feet away from home plate, it would be fair to expect Castellanos to deposit more than a few souvenirs into the crowd.
The main problem with signing Castellanos would be he doesn’t really have a true fit position wise. He spent most of his time in the field in right field, but the Sox already have Renfroe in right, and he’s coming off a season where he was a Gold Glove finalist for the position. Castellanos initially was a third baseman earlier in his career, so maybe you can put him at third and switch Rafael Devers over to first base.
Position issues aside, Castellanos is worth signing for his bat alone. He will probably be worth $20 million a year or a little bit more, but considering what he was able to do at the plate this past season, he’d be worth every penny. The Sox lineup is dangerous as is, but adding Castellanos may be the final piece that pushes them over the top.
Boston Red Sox free agent target No. 1: Starling Marte
Back at the Trade Deadline, I highlighted Starling Marte as one of the players the Sox should have looked to pickup at the deadline. Unfortunately for the Sox, Marte was dealt by the Miami Marlins to the Oakland Athletics, quickly dashing any hope Marte could be added for Boston’s postseason run. But now that Marte is a free agent, the Red Sox should look to bring in the speedy outfielder while they can.
Marte is basically an old school leadoff hitter. He doesn’t hit for a ton of power (just 12 home runs last season), but he does hit for a high average, and when he gets on base, he’s always looking to run. Marte tied his career high with 47 stolen bases last season, and did it during his age 32 season. Despite his age climbing, Marte has remained as productive as ever.
Not only would he fill the leadoff role the Sox struggled with for most of the season, but Marte would easily slide into center field and allow Hernandez to move back to second base. Hernandez did a great job patrolling center last season, but Marte is a cut above in the outfield compared to Hernandez.
Marte benefits from being one of the only true center fielders available on the free agent market, and that may cause his price to increase. He will be entering his age 33 season in 2022, but he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. He will probably be able to fetch a multi year deal in the $15-20 million range, which is a price the Red Sox could certainly afford.
Of all the outfielders available, Marte is easily the best fit for Boston. He is a true leadoff hitter, and can help fill a hole that the Sox never really addressed last season, and he can inadvertently help fill one of Boston’s biggest holes at second base. With Marte setting the table, the Red Sox lineup may become unstoppable next season.