Five-Time All-Star Slugger Named ‘Perfect’ Match for Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox have already made one major move this offseason by trading for Sonny Gray. However, the team could benefit from upgrading the lineup as well.

Last season, the Red Sox ranked 15th in home runs overall. While it is not terrible, Boston’s power numbers declined significantly late in the year. They hit the third-fewest home runs in baseball after Aug. 1.

Adding power to the lineup would be ideal, and MLB insider Mark Feinsand tabbed Pete Alonso as the “perfect free-agent match” for the Red Sox.

“First base was an issue for the Red Sox, who may not be sold on Triston Casas as the future at the position,” wrote Feinsand on Sunday. “Boston wants to add an impact bat, and few players on this year’s market can have the impact of Alonso, who slugged 38 homers with 126 RBIs and an .871 OPS last season.”

Not only does Alonso fill the Red Sox’s need for power, but he also gives Alex Cora more lineup flexibility than other free agent sluggers on the market. Alonso’s agent, Scott Boras, recently noted that he is open to playing more as a designated hitter.

Alonso has only played in 60 career games as a designated hitter. Considering that he has never missed more than 10 games in a season, that is not a large percentage of time spent as a designated hitter. However, if he is willing to put his glove away more often, Cora could find a way to keep Triston Casas in the lineup as well.

Casas suffered a season-ending knee injury last year, but the Red Sox had high expectations for him coming into the season. A healthy Casas could be a great boost for the Red Sox, and having Alonso serve as a designated hitter would allow Casas to be in the lineup with him. Casas is a better defender than Alonso at first base as well.

Alonso is a five-time All-Star and is the New York Mets’ all-time home run leader. He is beloved in Queens, but paying him may not align with David Stearns’ vision for the team. Since 2019, he has been one of the worst defensive first basemen in baseball, but he has also hit the third-most home runs in that span.