If free agency approval ratings existed, the Boston Red Sox likely wouldn’t be scoring high marks right now.
After a promising start to the offseason, headlined by the blockbuster trade for All-Star Garrett Crochet, the Red Sox’s momentum has stalled. Meanwhile, Alex Bregman, the former Houston Astros star who has often been a thorn in Boston’s side, remains unsigned with limited interest from other teams.
The Red Sox are in dire need of a right-handed bat, and Bregman’s ability to play second base—a glaring vacancy for Boston—has been highlighted by many, including manager Alex Cora. However, Bregman is already 30, and there are valid concerns about how well a long-term contract would hold up given that his prime seasons are behind him.
On Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive shared on social media that a Bregman-Red Sox deal seemed unlikely this offseason. This sentiment aligns with the consensus among team insiders: the Red Sox might have interest but only if Bregman were to fall into their lap at the right price.
Now, let’s assume a team like the Detroit Tigers or Toronto Blue Jays swoops in and signs Bregman, leaving Boston empty-handed. Who would the Red Sox turn to instead for a right-handed bat?
The best guess is Randal Grichuk, who had a standout 2024 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks as an outfielder/designated hitter.
Grichuk, 33, slashed .291/.348/.528 over 106 games for Arizona, splitting time between the outfield (57 games), DH (41 games), and occasional pinch-hitting appearances (37). He excelled against left-handed pitching with a .914 OPS in 184 plate appearances, though his .801 OPS against righties in 95 PA was solid as well.
If those numbers sound familiar, it’s because they closely resemble those of Boston fan-favorite Rob Refsnyder over the last two seasons. If signed, Grichuk would likely fill a similar role for the 2025 Red Sox, alternating between the outfield and DH, particularly against lefties.
Would Grichuk excite Red Sox fans? Probably not. But at a projected two-year, $6.7 million deal (per Spotrac), he’d come cheap and could thrive in Fenway Park’s righty-friendly conditions.
Whether fans like it or not, they may want to prepare for a Grichuk signing. All signs point to the Red Sox opting for a more economical option, especially as a Bregman deal seems increasingly unlikely.
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