MLB Free Agency: Five Potential Landing Spots for George Springer

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 16: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros reacts to scoring on a Jose Altuve #27 RBI double during the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game Six of the American League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 16, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 16: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros reacts to scoring on a Jose Altuve #27 RBI double during the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game Six of the American League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 16, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
5 of 5
MLB
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

The Boston Red Sox’s Case for Springer

The Red Sox have a couple of convenience factors on their side pertaining to Springer. Firstly, Fenway Park stands approximately 100 miles from where Springer grew up in New Britain, Connecticut. He also played college ball at the nearby University of Connecticut. If home is where his heart is, maybe the loyal North Easterner will be tempted to sign in Boston.

Secondly, the Red Sox’s assistant hitting coach, Peter Fatse, played a part in recruiting George Springer to the University of Connecticut in 2008. An article by WEEI details the duo’s relationship, pointing out that Faste toured Springer around campus during the recruiting process, plus the two were weight lifting partners and fellow starting outfielders for the Huskies.

Geography, familiarity, and of course, cash flow, favor the Red Sox – assuming they make a run at Springer. They were terrible in 2020, though a return to competitiveness next season is possible if their starting rotation is healthy.

With Jackie Bradley Jr. hitting free agency and Andrew Benintendi giving Boston pause after an abysmal 2020 showing, the Red Sox have to sure up their outfield this offseason.

Springer is not the acrobat that Bradley Jr. is in the outfield, but he is fundamentally sound and should have little issue controlling center field at Fenway Park. Benintendi and Alex Verdugo are strong candidates for CF as well; however, Springer is far more battle-tested at the position.

The Red Sox will figure their outfield alignment one way or another. What’s most important is maximizing Springer’s hitting ability. Pull-happy and always prepared to activate launch angle, the hard-swinging right-hander would enjoy Peppering the Green Monster and launching plenty of homers beyond it. Perhaps he’d alleviate at least some of the pain leftover from sending Mookie Betts away.