Red Sox “likes” a short-free agent Marcus Semien, although they’re not sure how much money it would take to hire you, Peter Gammons of The Athletic tweets. Semien is one of the biggest shortstops on the open market, but the Red Sox already have their answer there in Xander Bogaerts. They are also defined on the third base with Rafael Devers. The club has doubts about second base, but Semien has not lined up since 2014 as a member of the White Sox. The 30-year-old has spent the past six seasons with athletics and has excelled at times, especially in 2019. He has a connection to the Red Sox at former college roommate Paul Toboni, team scout director, notes Gammons .
More from Boston:
- The Red Sox lost assistant general manager Zack Scott to Mets, who hired him as assistant general manager and senior vice president on Wednesday. The change came with one condition, however. The Mets will not be allowed to hire anyone else from the Red Sox board this season or the next, reports Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. Presumably New York’s heavy lifting on the front lines is over, with Scott joining newly hired team president Sandy Alderson and GM Jared Porter in Queens. However, it is interesting to see Boston guarding itself against other possible front office exits.
- Tommy Kahnle signed with the Dodgers on a two-year contract this afternoon. The Red Sox, however, were also at the free agent dealer, reports Robert Murray of Fansided (Twitter link) Boston made a “strong offer” to Kahnle and finished second for his services, adds Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Right-handedness was unique in the open market; After undergoing Tommy John surgery last August, Kahnle will likely miss the entire 2021 season, but it is an interesting move for the coming year. If Boston is looking for more immediate help for righties, there are plenty of options available at the free agency.
- The Red Sox signed a potential bullpen piece today, bringing Matt Andriese on a one-year contract with a 2022 club option. The veteran has been used almost exclusively as a reliever for the past two seasons, although he has the opportunity to claim a rotating job next spring, he told reporters (including Cotillo) . Andriese expressed an openness to either role and noted that he expects the Red Sox front office to continue to explore pitch additions this offseason. The right-handed man came to the championship as a real swing with the Rays, starting 44 of his 72 shows in Tampa Bay from 2015-17.