Mad scramble for bargains
Lesser names available
We’re stuffed, we’re exhausted, and we’re looking for bargains.
It’s the post-Thanksgiving shopping craze now, and we’re browsing the sale racks.
Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski surely is thinking about the biggest, baddest free agents he can acquire. Everyone wants to dream big in the offseason, and the Red Sox have the financial muscle to make a splash. If Dombrowski can get J.D. Martinez, by all means, he should get J.D. Martinez.
But today, we’re thinking bargains. So, here are eight secondary free agents — all relatively cheap, all potential bargains — who might fit the Red Sox’ needs at a fraction of the cost.
• Howie Kendrick: The idea here is two birds with one stone. Kendrick just turned 34 — which should keep his cost down — but he’s coming off a career-best .844 OPS with the Phillies and Nationals. He could fill in at second base while Dustin Pedroia recovers from surgery, then become a right-handed platoon outfielder. Kendrick’s versatility would give the Red Sox insurance, while giving them time to evaluate less proven options like Bryce Brentz and Marco Hernandez.
• Mark Reynolds: Sure, Carlos Santana won’t cost as much as someone like Eric Hosmer, but that doesn’t mean Santana’s going to be bargain-bin cheap. Even Logan Morrison might demand surprising money after his breakout season. If we’re truly looking for lowcost power, Reynolds — who spent the past two seasons in Colorado — might fit because he can play first base and take advantage of the Green Monster. He’s a right-handed pull hitter with eight homers in his 34 career games at Fenway Park.
• Luke Gregerson: Before this year, Gregerson had five straight seasons with a WHIP of 1.01 or better. This year? It jumped to 1.34 as his hit and home run rates soared (but his strikeout rate remained strong). Gregerson became a more marginal piece of the Astros bullpen this season, and his asking price surely has dropped well below his previous $6 million mark. Could be a cheap option to throw in the late-inning mix with Carson Smith, Joe Kelly and Matt Barnes.
• Chris Tillman: He doesn’t turn 30 until Opening Day, and from 2012 to 2016 he had a 3.81 ERA while becoming a rotation mainstay in Baltimore. Last season was a complete wreck for Tillman, and his 7.84 ERA set up the real possibility of a short-term contract to reestablish value. The good news for the Red Sox is they don’t absolutely need a starter. Tillman could compete with Steven Wright for the fifth rotation spot with the loser landing in the bullpen. If he bounces back, great. If not, he’s a long man.
• Austin Jackson: The more obvious choice here is Carlos Gonzalez, a former superstar coming off a terrible season, who would be a potent risk-reward candidate for any team. For the Red Sox’ specific needs, Jackson stands out. He made just $1.5 million last season but had a 1.013 OPS against lefties for the Indians. He could be an ideal fourth outfielder capable of everyday duty if someone gets hurt. He’s still just 30 years old.
• Tony Watson: The Red Sox need a lefty in the bullpen, and in a winter when Jake McGee and Mike Minor seem to be the best left-handed relievers on the market, Watson’s price might slip into a more affordable range. He also has lateinning experience and could let the Sox mix and match a little bit in the seventh and eighth innings. Going much cheaper would mean drifting into Boone Logan or Zach Duke territory.
• Jose Bautista: This one is probably a bad idea. Heck, it might be a terrible idea. This is not advocating for a Bautista signing, only pointing out that if the Red Sox really want to shoot the moon with a risk-reward option, Bautista did hit 23 home runs even in a terrible season last year in Toronto. He’s also played a little first base and has a .575 career slugging percentage at Fenway Park, his highest at any ballpark where he’s played more than 25 times. Probably wouldn’t work. But if it did …
• Shohei Ohtani: This winter’s ultimate bargain is no secret. Because Ohtani is still just 23 years old, international signing limits apply, which means Ohtani isn’t allowed to sign a massive contract like the one that lured Daisuke Matsuzaka. He’s going to sign for basically utility infielder money, and he just might be a high-end starting pitcher who could also provide some left-handed power at the plate. This is the Black Friday doorbuster of the year.