Could Justin Turner return? Five Red Sox storylines as Winter Meetings begin
NASHVILLE — The Winter Meetings are officially underway, and over the next few days we should see a flurry of activity that will shape the game’s competitive landscape for years to come.
The Red Sox are expected to be active players and have a lot to get done, but while a blockbuster on the order of signing Shohei Ohtani is unlikely, there’s plenty more to watch for. Here are five Red Sox storylines to follow as the action heats up in Nashville.
Where will Turner land?
Justin Turner was arguably Boston’s most valuable player last season, greatly exceeding expectations at the plate while immediately establishing himself as an indispensable clubhouse leader. The Red Sox would love to have him back, but as a 39-year-old designated hitter who would limit Boston’s positional versatility, he also presents drawbacks the club must consider.
Will he end up re-signing? If so he’ll shore up the lineup and provide some clarity for how the team could look going forward, but if not the Red Sox will have to pivot and decide whether they want a full-time DH at all or if they’ll instead cycle between Masataka Yoshida, Rafael Devers and Triston Casas.
Will Sox wait on Yamamoto?
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is arguably the top starting pitcher on the free agent market and the Red Sox are expected to make a strong push to land the 25-year-old Japanese sensation. The trouble is Yamamoto’s representatives have indicated he won’t sign until after the Winter Meetings.
That presents Boston with some risk. They could wait on Yamamoto, but in the meantime they might miss out on some of the other top starters like Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell. Then, if they also lost out on Yamamoto, they may find themselves empty-handed and suddenly facing a heavily depleted pitching market.
What’s Plan B?
Let’s say that worst case scenario described above comes to fruition, or even if the Red Sox do land a top starter in free agency, what might their next move be then? Boston could choose from two avenues to bolster its rotation, the next tier of the free agent market or through a trade.
Other free agent starters who could be signed for more moderate deals include Lucas Giolito, Eduardo Rodriguez, Michael Wacha and Michael Lorenzen. The big fish believed to be on the trade block include Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease, Tampa Bay’s Tyler Glasnow, Cleveland’s Shane Bieber and Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes.
Could Verdugo be traded?
Alex Verdugo’s future with the franchise is shrouded in uncertainty, and if he and the Red Sox aren’t able to work out an extension, there’s a good chance the outfielder could be traded.
Is it possible that could happen this week? Absolutely, and Verdugo isn’t the only one. The Red Sox could also trade another outfielder, perhaps selling high on Jarren Duran or including on-the-cusp prospects like Ceddanne Rafaela or Wilyer Abreu as part of a blockbuster.
Unexpected reunions?
It feels like most if not all of Boston’s free agents will be moving on, with Turner remaining the most likely candidate to return. But what if that turns out to be wrong? Could some unexpected reunions still be in store?
Depending on how the Red Sox outfield shakes out, Adam Duvall still makes sense as a power-hitting right-handed bat who could slot in at either center or right field. James Paxton could also be a fit if the price is right, especially with a full offseason to build up after running out of steam this past summer.
Though he’s been gone longer, and reports suggest this is unlikely, a reunion with Rodriguez, the former Red Sox lefty, also can’t be ruled out.