After moving seven-time All-Star Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves, Boston moved forward somewhat with the acquisition of Lucas Giolito, but there are still some gaps that need to be filled. There have been many speculations about the Red Sox, but it’s unclear how serious the team is about making an addition.
Rather than trying to sign a big-league player, it sounds like the Red Sox are seeking to reduce salaries. Despite this, Boston has been associated with some of the best starters available in free agency, such as ShÅta Imanaga.
According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, Boston is now considered a “long shot” to win the lefty, despite being one of the contenders for Imanaga.
“The Red Sox face a deadline â and clarity â on another one of their rumored free agent targets later this week,” Cotillo stated. “And Boston’s chase is predicted to be unsuccessful, absent a last-minute shock.
“A source with knowledge of talks between the sides claims that Boston is viewed as a “far shot” to sign Japanese left-hander ShÅta Imanaga before his deadline to sign with a major league club on Thursday, January 11. Imanaga is regarded as one of the top three free-agent starters still available, but it’s unknown just how aggressive the Red Sox have been in their pursuit of him. Imanaga must choose a new team by Thursday at 5 p.m. ET. But the southpaw is anticipated to sign elsewhere unless something changes in the next few days.