Which free agents would be good fits
The Red Sox have money to spend, approximately $91.6 million in average annual value before going over the first threshold of Major League Baseball’s luxury tax.
Those calculations assume Xander Bogaerts will opt out of his deal.
Even if the Red Sox do the right thing and retain Bogaerts, they still would have approximately $60-$65 million to spend on free agents or players under contract acquired via trade.
For now, let’s put the trade part of the equation on hold and focus on free agents who could fit the Red Sox.
Designated hitters are not included. It would be uncharacteristic for Chaim Bloom to invest significant dollars in a DH given his preference for defensive versatility. Alex Cora also has talked at length about wanting a more athletic team. A DH-only player doesn’t fit that mold.
Starting pitchers
LHPTylerAnderson: He was just a guy for six seasons before the Dodgers remade him into an All-Star. As he enters his age-33 season, Anderson has a chance to cash in.
RHP Chris Bassitt: Without a lot of fanfare, he’s been one of the best and most reliable starters in the game for two seasons. After making $19 million with the Mets, Bassitt will command at least $22 million a season.
RHP Nate Eovaldi: He’s a perfect candidate for a qualifying offer. Would the Sox go beyond that to retain a pitcher with career-long injury concerns? Eovaldi enjoyed his time in Boston, but he has played for five teams in his career. He’ll go to the team that offers him the best deal.
LHP Rich Hill: It would seem like an easy call for Boston to sign Hill to an incentive-laden contract as their No. 5 starter/swingman.
RHP Corey Kluber: Coming up on his age-37 season, Kluber has a 4.17 ERA over 47 starts the last two seasons. He took $7 million from the Rays this season. Kluber has a home in the Boston area and could be a low-cost rotation option.
LHP Sean Manaea: His ERA climbed to 4.96 this season, but Manaea has been healthy two years in a row and could be a solid mid-rotation choice.
LHP Carlos Rodón: After a breakout 2021 season with the White Sox, injury concerns led to Rodón taking a one-year deal with the Giants. Now he’ll go back into the market after posting a 2.88 ERA over 31 starts. If the Sox make a big splash, this could be the direction they go.
RHP Noah Syndergaard: He has made only 26 starts since having Tommy John surgery in 2020, so the coming season could be when he returns in full force. But his fastball was hit hard this season.
RHP Jameson Taillon: At $5.8 million, he was a solid value for the Yankees this season with 32 starts and a 3.91 ERA. A good No. 4 option.
RHP Michael Wacha: He performed well in Boston this season and that should count for something. Wacha also wants to return after bouncing around the last few years.
Shortstops
Carlos Correa: It seems unlikely the Red Sox would turn away from Bogaerts and spend more to sign Correa.
Dansby Swanson: He has so far turned down long-term security from the Braves, who have locked up their other stars. He’s very good but not in the same class as Bogaerts.
Trea Turner: His numbers dipped this season, but Turner remains a dynamic talent. He wants to return to the East Coast, too.
Outfielders
Mitch Haniger: He hit 39 home runs in 2021 before injuries limited him to 57 games this season. Might be worth taking a chance on.
Aaron Judge: It’s fun to think of the Red Sox trolling the Yankees by signing Judge. But the Yankees can’t let that happen. Their business model relies on star players.
Brandon Nimmo: A player who continues to improve and was a presence hitting leadoff for a Mets team that won 101 games. The Sox could use him at the top of their order.
Catchers
Willson Contreras: Bloom has said he wants to improve the catching. Contreras is the best on the market but is more of a hitter than a receiver.
Omar Narváez: An All-Star in 2021, he posted a .597 OPS this season. But catchers are hard to come by.
Wild card
RHP Edwin Díaz: Cora loves him, and rightfully so. Sign Diaz, push Tanner Houck into the eighth inning, and John Schreiber into the seventh, and suddenly the bullpen looks pretty good. The Mets will make it hard to pry him away.