The 2025 MLB All-Star festivities are a week away, meaning the Boston Red Sox are well past the season's halfway point. The campaign has been far from perfect, to say the least; however, the Red Sox's outlook has improved in recent weeks, and a 46-45 record has Alex Cora's club in the mix to challenge for an American League wild-card spot if they don't let up.
With so much to absorb as the season continues, Boston fans have made it a habit to occasionally see what some former Red Sox players are up to. Although some of those names are thriving with their respective teams this year, one ex-Red Sox outfielder has struggled to land a new MLB contract in 2025.
Former Red Sox IF Adalberto Mondesi is Still Unsigned in July
Even though the first week of July is in the books, veteran infielder Adalberto Mondesi is still unemployed. It's been a disappointing development for the 29-year-old shortstop/second baseman, who was once one of Major League Baseball's most exciting infielders to watch.
Red Sox fans may have forgotten that Mondesi was ever with the franchise. The Los Angeles, CA native was traded to Boston by the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Josh Taylor in the lead-up to the 2024 campaign. Unfortunately, Mondesi tore his ACL before Opening Day, forcing him to miss the entire season before he became a free agent in the winter.
MLB clubs are hesitant to roll the dice on players coming off major injuries, and that's the situation Mondesi is currently facing. It doesn't help that there haven't been any recent updates regarding his recovery, leaving time to tell if he'll ever return to the player he once was.
If his injury woes are behind him and he can turn back the clock, Mondesi would be a welcome addition on most big-league rosters. He was a thrill to watch throughout his Royals tenure, as he racked up 38 home runs, 157 RBIs, 60 walks, and 133 stolen bases — along with a .244/.280/.408 slash line — in 358 games (1,273 at-bats). He also won the 2015 World Series with Kansas City.
Mondesi's speed is one of his biggest weapons, making it interesting to see if his ACL tear will hold him back. He demonstrated his ceiling when he led the Majors with 10 triples in 2019 before pacing all MLB players with 24 stolen bases one year later.
All players must be on a club's 40-man roster by Aug. 31 if they want to be eligible for the MLB postseason. That gives Mondesi just under two months to find a home if he wants to experience playoff baseball again this fall.