Red Sox: 3 former players who could return to Boston
Free agency presents an opportunity for the Boston Red Sox to bring some past players back.
The Boston Red Sox have a real chance to jump back into contention this offseason with some bargain buys. They traded Mookie Betts last season to get under the luxury tax threshold and rest the penalties if they plan to move forward and make some major moves. That’s where chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom comes in to work his magic that helped aid the Tampa Bay Rays, who got all the way to the World Series in 2020.
Perhaps, that could include bringing back some former faces that helped the franchise in different efforts through free agency. With a major need for starting pitching mixed with needed help in the outfield, the Sox have plenty of room to improve.
Better yet, those former faces could be the leadership and sure bets the Red Sox need to be contenders once again in 2021.
Which former Red Sox players could return and upgrade the roster for next year?
3. Jon Lester
This one should warm the hearts of all Red Sox fans far and wide. Jon Lester is currently a free agent following his six-year stint with the Chicago Cubs, where he helped them win a World Series. Of course, Lester was a part of two World Series teams with the Red Sox, including 2013 when he was the ace of the staff and showed his ability to be one of the best postseason pitchers in baseball.
Lester spent his first 8.5 seasons with the Red Sox after being drafted by them in the second round of the 2002 MLB Amateur Draft. During his time there, he ultimately became their ace. With 193 career wins and plenty of talent left in the tank at the age of 36, he seems to be the perfect option to help fill the Red Sox rotation.
His stats during the shortened 2020 season aren’t his best, with a 3-3 record and a 5.16 ERA in 12 starts, but you only have to go back to 2018 to see that he can still put up 18 wins. The three-time All-Star would be welcomed back with open arms.
Lester has shown an openness to coming back and would be a leader in the clubhouse that they need now more than ever.