Should Red Sox Sign Former MVP As He Waits For Deal?

The Boston Red Sox have made a few trades this offseason, but have yet to make a splash in free agency.

The top of the market has stalled out, but the Red Sox could make an impact signing soon. They are reportedly still interested in Alex Bregman, among other star free agents, but have not really been linked to Cody Bellinger.

That is likely because the Red Sox already have a crowded outfield, and Bellinger would further complicate that. However, Bellinger is also capable of playing first base, a position the Red Sox have already shown interest in this winter.

The Red Sox reportedly made Pete Alonso an offer before he signed with the Baltimore Orioles. If the goal is to improve the offense, the Red Sox may be willing to overlook positional fit to an extent. Bellinger is a former MVP and had a great year with the New York Yankees.

It’s unlikely that Bellinger will sign with a team to strictly play first base. However, his versatility on defense could make it easier to get him in the lineup. Regardless, he may not be the best fit for the Red Sox.

Although Bellinger would improve the Red Sox’s offense, one of the things that makes him an elite player is his outfield defense. He is an average defender at first base, which is actually better than Alonso, but Alonso was not an attractive option due to his defense.

Alonso is a different type of player from Bellinger. All of his value comes from what he can do at the plate, so teams were willing to pay him accordingly. However, with Bellinger, teams are paying for an elite defender and a productive hitter.

On the Red Sox, he would spend most of, if not all, of his time as a designated hitter or first baseman, taking away one of the things that makes him great. If Boston did not already have Wilyer Abreu, Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran and Ceddanne Rafaela, perhaps there would be more buzz about interest in Bellinger.

If Bellinger were to agree to play strictly as a first baseman, it would still cost Boston just as much to sign him. He is not going to take less money simply because a team does not want to utilize his stellar defense in their outfield.