It appears that one of the Boston Red Sox’s purported free-agent targets will likely sign with a rival team.
Boston continues to search during the offseason for a designated hitter. Justin Turner was dependable in the role for the Red Sox last season, but he is a free agent and doesn’t appear to be coming back.
The Red Sox have expressed their desire to acquire a right-handed batter with defensive ability, mentioning the outfield in particular as a need.
The Toronto Blue Jays are presently viewed as the favorites to sign All-Star slugger Jorge Soler, despite Boston’s repeated links to him, as reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
“The hitting market — Jorge Soler, J.D. Martinez, Justin Turner, and Rhys Hoskins — is heating up,” Heyman stated. “The Jays are a front-runner for Soler, with the (Arizona Diamondbacks) and Red Sox also interested.”
Although it’s beginning to look unlikely that Boston will make a move, Soler might be a good choice. Reportedly, Boston is looking to reunite with slugger Adam Duvall, which may be another indication that a deal including Soler isn’t going to materialize.
Toronto has been connected to a few players and needs to bolster its outfield this offseason. Although Cody Bellinger, the 2019 National League Most Valuable Player, is being connected to the Blue Jays, they are now considered the favorites to sign Soler.
It appears that Boston won’t be able to sign Soler, even though it’s uncertain what Toronto will do.