This offseason, Boston dealt away fan favorite outfielder Alex Verdugo, but it appears that he was replaced in a different trade for two-time Gold Glove winner Tyler O’Neill with the St. Louis Cardinals.
In addition to O’Neill, Boston presently fields Rob Refsnyder, Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Masataka Yoshida, and Ceddanne Rafaela. The Red Sox don’t seem to be in the market for adding players right now, especially with so many uncertainties surrounding the group’s playing time.
Despite this, Will Leitch of MLB.com put together a list of the best places for two-time All-Star Cody Bellinger to settle, and the Red Sox came in at number six.
“The Red Sox have long been considered a potential player here, though their trade for the Cardinals’ Tyler O’Neill added to an already crowded outfield picture,” Leitch stated. “They now have Rob Refsnyder, O’Neill, Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Cedanne Rafaela, and Masataka Yoshida, when he’s not DHing. Bellinger is a potential target for Boston, but is it the correct move?
Bellinger’s acquisition would undoubtedly improve Boston’s middle of the lineup, but it doesn’t seem like a smart decision right now. With the Chicago Cubs last season, the 2019 National League Most Valuable Player returned to his elite form, but in free agency, he will command a high price. Furthermore, he plays first base and outfield, two positions that Boston appears to have taken up.
A signing might then make sense if the Red Sox made another move, such as trading away one or two outfielders for starting pitching. It seems implausible right now, but things might turn around.