Boston Red Sox Rumors: 3 infield free agent targets this offseason

Boston Red Sox free agent target No. 3: Anthony Rizzo

Anthony Rizzo has long been the subject of adoration from Boston’s fan base, and for good reason. Rizzo overcame a classical Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis to work his way through Boston’s minor league systems, but he was eventually sent to the San Diego Padres as part of the Adrian Gonzalez trade. Rizzo would eventually find his way to the Chicago Cubs, and established himself as one of the premier first basemen in the league during his time there.

With the Cubs heading towards a rebuild, it seemed pretty likely Rizzo was going to be dealt at the Trade Deadline this season. Many assumed the Red Sox would be the perfect destination since they needed a first baseman, but Rizzo ended up being dealt to the rival New York Yankees, which didn’t sit too well with the folks of Boston. But now Rizzo is a free agent, and the Sox will most likely be linked to their former prospect again this offseason.

Rizzo endured a down year in 2021 by his standards, as he hit just .248 with 22 home runs and 61 runs batted in. Rizzo has typically hit around the .280-.290 mark throughout his career, so you have to wonder whether he’s already past his peak. Even if he is, Rizzo still offers above average play at first base, and he’s a consistent left handed bat that Boston’s lineup could certainly use.

Rizzo’s down year (and the fact that he struggled during the shortened 2020 season too) will probably lower his value on the market. Rizzo has a reputation of being one of the better first basemen in the league, but guys like Freddie Freeman and maybe even Brandon Belt will draw more attention than Rizzo. His price range will probably fall somewhere between $10-15 million, which could end up being a bargain.

Rizzo’s debut in a Red Sox uniform is way overdue, and it’s time for the front office to change that this offseason. Rizzo will be available at a lower price than initially expected, and even if he struggles, you could just use him in a platoon situation with Bobby Dalbec. It seems like Rizzo has some unfinished business with the Red Sox, and it’s time to bring him aboard so that he can help this team try to win it’s next World Series title.