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Red Sox ‘possibly’ set to meet with key free agent target soon at Winter Meetings
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- Red Sox ‘possibly’ set to meet with key free agent target soon at Winter Meetings
ORLANDO — Ordinarily, teams meet with rival executives and agents over the course of baseball’s winter meetings. But the Red Sox could be set to meet directly with one of the players to whom they’ve been linked.
Pete Alonso , who would fit the profile of a run-producing bat the Sox have been seeking, is expected to drive here from his home in Tampa and meet in-person with a number of interested clubs, according to a report by the New York Post’s Jon Heyman. Those meetings would be set to take place Tuesday.
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On Monday afternoon, a source close to Alonso responded “Possibly, (but) not confirmed yet,” when asked if the Red Sox were one the teams with whom he would meet.
Alonso is one of the top free agents on the current market. Alonso, who turned 31 on Sunday, hit 158 homers over the last four years. Last year, he led the National League in 41 doubles and posted an .871 OPS.
He’s also been one of the more durable players in the game, having missed just 10 games over the last four years combined.
The Red Sox finished in the middle of the pack when it came to homers last year and managed just one in three games in the wild card round against the Yankees.
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With Alex Bregman now a free agent , the need for additional power is even greater. The Red Sox have also been linked to DH Kyle Schwarber , who spent two months with the Sox in 2021.
The Red Sox’ infield situation is wide open, with first base, second base and third base currently unclaimed. Alonso could fill the first base vacancy for at least a few years, but might have to transition to a DH spot as he ages.
As prolific a power hitter as he’s been, Alonso is regarded as a below-average defender. But his bat would deepen the Boston lineup, especially from the right side with so much of the order left-handed.
Meeting with reporters in Boston’s suite at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando on Monday, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow declined to confirm if the club had any player meetings scheduled but said he “hoped” to have some sitdowns before departing late Wednesday.
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“It’s a great opportunity to have face-to-face interactions, and I think there’s a level of sincerity and authenticity that you’re able to relay in person that maybe doesn’t come across over a phone call or Zoom,” Breslow said. “These (days) are about meetings and trying to get to know players and agents.”
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