Boston Red Sox rumors: Joining the chase for Freddie Freeman

According to reports, the Boston Red Sox have reportedly joined a pair of American League East rivals in pursuit of free agent first baseman Freddie Freeman.

Rumors are circulating that the Boston Red Sox “have joined the Freddie Freeman sweepstakes”

MLB Network insider Jon Heyman has tweeted that the Boston Red Sox are now one of the teams in pursuit of Freddie Freeman, who saw his time with the Atlanta Braves come to an end on Monday when the team announced it had acquired Matt Olson in a trade with the Oakland A’s.

With a return to Atlanta now out of the picture, it’s clear that Freeman, who slashed .300/.393/.503 last season with 31 home runs and 83 RBI while helping the Braves win their first World Series since 1995, is looking for a new home. The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees have been considered two of the leading contenders to land Freeman, with the Toronto Blue Jays picking up steam in the rumor mill in recent days as well.

Now you can add the Boston Red Sox to the teams that are reportedly courting Freeman.

So how would Freeman fit into a Red Sox lineup? Coming off a breakout season in 2021, Bobby Dalbec is currently penciled in as the team’s Opening Day first baseman. His 25 home runs last season were fourth on the team, so there is plenty of power already in the Red Sox lineup, including at first base. That power includes designated hitter J.D. Martinez, who slugged 28 homers last season.

With first base and DH seemingly secure, if the Red Sox were to sign Freeman, it would be an interesting exercise to see exactly where he would fit into the lineup. Some of the biggest needs for the Red Sox after the lockout included more help in the bullpen and a right-handed bat. Freeman checks neither of those boxes.

However, with the Red Sox advancing to the American League Championship Series last season before bowing out to the Houston Astros, Boston knows it was close to reaching the Fall Classic last season. Could Freeman in the mix be the thing that pushes the Red Sox further this season?