The Boston Red Sox are looking to add more infielders to their roster, but they missed out on a major free agent.
The Boston Red Sox failed to retain shortstop Xander Bogaerts on multiple occasions throughout the year. That allowed him to hit free agency, and he received a lucrative 11-year, $280 million contract with the San Diego Padres. With that, they have a void in the infield.
Boston reportedly explored a free agent option, but lost out.
According to Sam Blum and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required), the Red Sox were “in the mix” for Brandon Drury, alongside the Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins. Drury ended up signing a two-year, $17 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
Red Sox were ‘in the mix’ for Brandon Drury
In the article linked above, it’s reported that one of the Red Sox, Diamondbacks or Marlins offered Drury more money with a one-year opt-out. But, Drury opted to join the Angels.
Drury started off the 2021 season with the Cincinnati Reds, where he recorded a .274 batting average, a .855 OPS, 20 home runs, 59 RBI, and 96 hits through 92 games. He was then traded to the San Diego Padres, where he slashed .238/.290/.435 while recording eight home runs, 28 RBI, and 40 hits. With these numbers, Drury won the Silver Slugger award for the first time this year.
The Red Sox are reportedly looking at internal and external options at shortstop, as they want to keep Trevor Story at second base, per The Athletic’s Chad Jennings. One external option that the Red Sox have brought up is Miami Marlins infielder Joey Wendle.
Boston’s fanbase is not entirely pleased with the job the team has done this offseason, especially after losing yet another homegrown talent in Bogaerts. They were in the market for Brandon Drury, but just lost out.