Fansided

Red Sox: 3 former players who could return to Boston

By Scott Edwards

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Jon Lester #34 of the Chicago Cubs pitches in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on September 26, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Jon Lester #34 of the Chicago Cubs pitches in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on September 26, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 20: Kevin Pillar #5 of the Boston Red Sox catches a fly ball in the second inning by Hanser Alberto #57 (not pictured) of the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 20, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 20: Kevin Pillar #5 of the Boston Red Sox catches a fly ball in the second inning by Hanser Alberto #57 (not pictured) of the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 20, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

2. Kevin Pillar

During the 2020 season, the Red Sox had little to be excited about day in and day out as they struggled their way to a 24-36 record. Yet, a late addition to their regular season roster ended up being one of their finest. Of course, we are talking about outfielder Kevin Pillar, who was signed to a one-year deal and provided some spark to the lineup.

So much spark, in fact, that he was eventually shipped off as an asset to the Colorado Rockies at the trade deadline so that the Red Sox could get something in return in case he wasn’t planning to return. He hit .274 with 4 HR, 13 RBI, and a .795 OPS., all excellent numbers for a guy who could come in and start with an outfield spot wide open for the Red Sox.

There’s a decent chance that Jackie Bradley Jr. does not return to the Red Sox as he is currently a free agent, leaving one outfield spot open assuming JD Martinez maintains his status as a DH. Pillar supplies nearly the same defensive pedigree with the slight edge going to Bradley Jr., while he has shown in the past that he has a far more consistent bat.

Fans may not get necessarily excited with the possible return of Pillar, but he would be a cheap, solid option that could allow the Red Sox to spend big on a position player during the next offseason where a number of top market names like Francisco Lindor enter free agency. It also helps solidify an outfield that has played together between Andrew Benintendi, Alex Verdugo, and Pillar.

It poses as a win-win for both the Red Sox and Pillar, who enjoyed his time in Boston by all accounts.

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