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Red Sox Eyeing Veteran Slugger After Missing Out on Juan Soto

After Juan Soto signed with the New York Mets to begin the week, the Boston Red Sox could turn their attention to another elite slugger this offseason.

By Devon Platana

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning at Tropicana Field.
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning at Tropicana Field. / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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The Boston Red Sox's pursuit of Juan Soto came to a disappointing end on Sunday night.

Despite doing their best to land the elite slugger, the Red Sox struck out swinging when ESPN's Jeff Passan announced that Soto had signed an MLB-record 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. The deal will keep the four-time All-Star in a Mets jersey from now through 2041.

Even though it would've been great to see Soto playing for the Red Sox next season, some things just aren't meant to be. Missing out on one free agent isn't the end of the world, though, and Boston's outlook could look much brighter if it can land the latest slugger that's being linked to the franchise.

Red Sox Offseason Rumors: Boston Linked to OF Anthony Santander

MLB insider Jon Morosi reported on Monday morning that the Red Sox have a "strong interest" in free agent outfielder Anthony Santander. Morosi added that the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays could also pursue Santander after missing out on Soto.

Red Sox fans are more than familiar with Santander's work. The 30-year-old switch-hitter has spent his entire MLB career with the rival Baltimore Orioles (746 games since 2017), racking up 155 home runs, 435 RBIs, 226 walks, and a .246/.307/.469 slash line across eight seasons.

Having said that, Santander is due for a major pay raise after a career performance in 2024. The Venezuelan outfielder earned his first MLB All-Star nomination as he rallied personal bests in HRs (44), RBIs (102), and walks 58) in 155 games (595 at-bats).

According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, Santander's next contract could carry an average annual value (AAV) of around $20 million. While that's a big chunk of change, the Red Sox can afford it considering that they were prepared to offer Soto an AAV of about $46.7 million across 15 years, per Mass Live's Sean McAdam.

It's been three years since the Red Sox's last MLB postseason appearance. Successfully signing a game-changer like Santander is one way to help end that drought, especially after his 72 HRs and 197 RBIs in the last two seasons played a big role in the Orioles' back-to-back playoff appearances during that stretch.

With the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings wrapping up on Thursday, it might not be much longer before we know whether or not Santander heading to Boston is a legitimate possibility.

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