The Boston Red Sox have had a flashy offseason, signing top starting pitching free agent David Price and acquiring stud closer Craig Kimbrel under a new front office regime headed by Dave Dombrowski.
Their only offensive addition, however, was the modest signing of outfielder Chris Young to a two-year, $13 million deal.
According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox could consider signing star free agent outfielder Justin Upton.
Their only offensive addition, however, was the modest signing of outfielder Chris Young to a two-year, $13 million deal.
According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox could consider signing star free agent outfielder Justin Upton.
It would be an interesting move to say the least, considering the depth Boston has in the outfield. But under further examination, Upton could still be an upgrade there.
As of now, the Red Sox outfield has Mookie Betts, Rusney Castillo, and Jackie Bradley Jr. While all three are still developing, it is unknown how good they are offensively.
Castillo was signed to a $72.5 million deal out of Cuba, but has a career .680 OPS (83 OPS+) in 289 plate appearances. Bradley had even worse struggles when given a starting job in 2014, but turned it around in 74 games this past season. Overall, though, he is definitely no sure thing at the plate.
Adding Upton, as Cafardo opines, could give the Red Sox the bat they need in the middle of their order that is currently power-deprived, with question marks also surrounding both Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval.
While the Red Sox are already above the luxury tax limit in 2016, Justin Upton, especially at the right price, could make sense for a team that could use a little more "oomph" in the outfield, as Cafardo writes.
In 2015, Upton hit .251/.336/.454 with 26 home runs and 81 RBIs in 620 plate appearances. According to FanGraphs, he was worth 3.6 Wins Above Replacement.
--Devan Fink
As of now, the Red Sox outfield has Mookie Betts, Rusney Castillo, and Jackie Bradley Jr. While all three are still developing, it is unknown how good they are offensively.
Castillo was signed to a $72.5 million deal out of Cuba, but has a career .680 OPS (83 OPS+) in 289 plate appearances. Bradley had even worse struggles when given a starting job in 2014, but turned it around in 74 games this past season. Overall, though, he is definitely no sure thing at the plate.
Adding Upton, as Cafardo opines, could give the Red Sox the bat they need in the middle of their order that is currently power-deprived, with question marks also surrounding both Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval.
While the Red Sox are already above the luxury tax limit in 2016, Justin Upton, especially at the right price, could make sense for a team that could use a little more "oomph" in the outfield, as Cafardo writes.
In 2015, Upton hit .251/.336/.454 with 26 home runs and 81 RBIs in 620 plate appearances. According to FanGraphs, he was worth 3.6 Wins Above Replacement.
--Devan Fink
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