The Boston Red Sox have made some huge moves the past two offseasons, and they might be able to make a couple more this winter.
Toronto Blue Jays sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion “envision” the Red Sox as a potential landing spot when they become free agents this offseason, FanRag Sports Network’s Jon Heyman reported Thursday, although he didn’t cite sources. Bautista reportedly is seeking a contract in the five-year, $150 million range, while Encarnacion allegedly wants four years.
Of course, you always have to take reports like this with a grain of salt, as a lot can happen between now and November. Bautista recently told Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci that he’d “be stupid to leave” Toronto, and if for some reason Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz decides not to retire after this season, that could spoil any hopes of either of the power hitters going to Boston.
There likely will be a lot of competition for their services, too. Bautista is the older of the two at 35, but the right fielder still seems to have plenty left in the tank. He’s had four 35-plus home run, 100-plus RBI seasons in the last six years — Encarnacion has three — and is a six-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger. The 33-year-old Encarnacion is a two-time All-Star.
Either way, it bodes well for the Red Sox that good free agents continue to be intrigued by Boston. And it certainly wouldn’t make for a bad lineup if Bautista and Encarnacion did join the team.
Thumbnail photo via Dan Hamilton/USA TODAY Sports Images
