The Boston Red Sox are having an overall solid offseason, but there is still plenty of room to grow. The rotation is set, but the lineup is not complete.
While the outfield is stacked, there is a clear hole in the infield, either at second base or third base. Some move needs to be made.
ESPN's Buster Olney predicts that such a move will happen because, if the Red Sox don't make such an addition, it would be a "wild" way to close their offseason amid the aggressive moves from the rest of the AL East.
Red Sox predicted to add slugger rather than make 'wild' decision
"The Red Sox will add at least one more bat - because they really have to, right?" Olney writes. "Because to not do so would be wild, right?
Boston needs to bolster their lineup going forward, and swinging a trade or signing a top free agent makes the most sense.
While ideally, they could move forward with the outfield intact, trading one of these outfielders, specifically Jarren Duran, would make a ton of sense.
Relying on Roman Anthony and Willson Contreras to carry the load offensively, especially with Alex Bregman now gone, would be a massive mistake.
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The Red Sox need to add at least one more slugger to the lineup, and ideally, it would be an infielder. Someone like Eugenio Suarez in free agency, or Isaac Paredes in a trade, would make the most sense.
Boston must add a hitter, and Olney predicts that they'll do so at the risk of making the wild decision to not add an impact bat this offseason.
With what the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and Baltimore Orioles have done this offseason, not making this move would be a wild decision for the Red Sox to make.
Adding another hitter is the only thing left for the Red Sox to do this offseason, and Olney predicts that move will come.
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