WBOB Original Reads

Nine Names On The Sox Wish List

12/19/2017

Tyler Salk

The Patriots have the playoffs in sight. The Celtics are looking like one of the stronger teams in the NBA. The URI Rams and PC Friars are likely going to be tournament bound again. The Bruins… they’re a team too. There’s one team off that list.

The Red Sox aren’t playing right now, but arguably the most exciting part of the baseball season is underway (BASEBALL SEASON NEVER ENDS). With the signing of Shohei Otani by the Angels, and Giancarlo Stanton being traded to the Yankees, the MLB offseason is in full swing.

The story behind the Sox last season was winning games without the longball. While the team finished as division champs, the team’s losses have been partially pinned on not hitting enough home runs. Targets include power hitters and as always, relief pitching.

Here are 9 Free Agents who might sign with Boston:
(all players unsigned as of 12/18; 2017 team in parentheses)

JD Martinez (ARI)- Back in his days with Houston, Martinez was generally seen as a waste of space. Boy, were they wrong. Martinez has since proven to be an excellent player. In only 119 games between the Tigers and Diamondbacks this season, Martinez managed to slug 45 home runs, while hitting for an average of over .300 for the second straight year. Entering his age 30 season, Martinez does not have a first round pick attached to him because he couldn’t be presented a qualifying offer. His contract is expected to be enormous.
Eric Hosmer 1B (KC)- A leader on the Royals World Series winning team, Eric Hosmer began last season with a .225 average in the first month of the season. He followed April by hitting over .300 in all but one other month of the season, where he still hit .297. Hosmer finished with a .318 average, while also winning a gold glove. His 2017 gold glove is his fourth over the past five seasons. He also finished with a silver slugger and twenty-five homers while playing all 162 games. With the signing re-signing of Mitch Moreland, Hosmer is an unlikely signing but can be labeled as one of the best hitters on the market.
Yu Darvish (LAD)- In an offseason highlighted by Shohei Otani, one of his fellow countrymen is going under the radar. The best starting pitcher available on the open market, Darvish does not have a first round pick attached to him because he split the season between the Dodgers and Rangers. Since coming to the United States, Darvish has never had a career with an ERA above four. During that stretch he has also averaged over ten strikeouts per nine innings in every season. Only failing to be named an all-star in all but one healthy season, Darvish isn’t a strong candidate to play with the Sox due to a lack of necessity. However, Dombrowski is no stranger to surprise signings.
Wade Davis (CHC)- Last off-season included a blockbuster trade between the past two champions. With one year left on his contract, Wade David was traded from the Royals to the Cubs. He didn’t disappoint. Despite racking up his highest ERA in 4 seasons at 2.30 he was dominant. Davis has been an all star for each of the past three seasons, and while he will want to be a closer, might be willing to move into a set up role for enough money.
Addison Reed (BOS)- A trade from the Mets last season has Reed being experienced in Boston. With an ERA below 2 for the Mets in 2016, Reed had a fairly successful season again. With Bryan Shaw off the market, Reed might be the best non-closer available to provide bullpen depth.
Jay Bruce (CLE)- With the signing of Mitch Moreland to return to play first base, attacking the outfield grandstands with a first baseman looks to be out of the pitcher. The signing indicates that the team will acquire that power bat by adding an outfielder. Jay Bruce, who split his time between the Mets and Indians, has been able to top thirty homers each of the past two seasons. Only a year removed from being an all-star, Bruce has played consistently over the past couple of seasons and can provide pop in any lineup.
Carlos Gonzalez (COL)- Aside from his rookie season, the masher has spent his entire home career playing his home games in the four-bagger capital of the world. Once regarded as a five-tool talent, Gonzalez has been inconsistent over the past few years. His talent still appears, but if you blink you could miss the all star moments he used to provide regularly. Trying to reestablish himself, Gonzalez is a year removed from racking up one hundred rbis. With his skill level, Gonzalez could be a bargain on a short term deal.
Tony Watson (LAD)- Tony Watson has only had one all star appearance over his career. He’s also only had one season with an ERA above 3.50. That came in 2011. Watson has served as a setup man with the Dodgers and Pirates over the past few seasons, and has proven to be very reliable. A pitcher that can handle pressure, Watson hasn’t thrown a wild pitch in over two seasons.
Matt Albers (WAS)- Have you ever heard the expression “all or nothing?” Matt Albers certainly has as he has pitched with an ERA below 1.75 in three of his last four seasons (only 8 games in 2014). However in 2016, that ERA was above six. Previously having spent time with Boston, Albers’ .852 WHIP was lower than any starter’s. While the heavy set righty does not have a lot of closing experience, he is in line to be one of the higher paid relievers this offseason.