MLB Personality’s Free-Agent Predictions Pose Grim Scenario For Red Sox

Whether they retain Alex Bregman, sign another star hitter or both, the Boston Red Sox will look to leave the winter with at least one prominent free agent. An analyst conversely has Boston missing out on all the top names.

Ben Verlander, the host of the “Flippin’ Bats” podcast and brother of Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander, predicted where each of his top-10 MLB free agents will land. He has none going to Boston.

That’s especially discouraging since he included seven hitters, pairing Bregman with the Detroit Tigers while the Philadelphia Phillies keep Kyle Schwarber and the New York Mets re-sign Pete Alonso. Making matters worse, he also anticipates the Red Sox’s division rivals making significant splashes.

Verlander thinks the Blue Jays will keep spending after signing Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract. The media personality projects the defending American League champions to bring back shortstop Bo Bichette and add star outfielder Kyle Tucker.

Meanwhile, Verlander predicted the Yankees to keep Cody Bellinger in the Bronx and bolster their rotation by signing Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai. He also forecasted Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami joining the Los Angeles Angels.

Along with pursuing an extended relationship with Bregman, the Red Sox have spent the past few weeks frequently linked to Alonso and Schwarber. Those power bats give them a chance to replace Rafael Devers in a lineup that saw no Boston hitter exceed 25 home runs in a full season for the first time since 2017.

The Red Sox already addressed their rotation by acquiring Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals, but they won’t want to leave the offseason without attaining an impact bat.