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Red Sox: 3 free agents to sign and 1 to avoid

By Gabrielle Starr

Oct 10, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Kyle Schwarber (18) hits a single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning in game three of the 2021 ALDS at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Kyle Schwarber (18) hits a single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning in game three of the 2021 ALDS at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kyle Schwarber, Boston Red Sox. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Which free agents should the Red Sox sign, and which ones should they avoid?

After the surprisingly excellent season the Boston Red Sox had, they’re expected to be among the busiest bees buzzing around the free-agent hive this offseason. After all, when a team wins 92 games and goes six games into the ALCS in a season most experts predicted they’d finish under .500, it’s time to build on the success, and fast.

However, Chaim Bloom’s building for 2022 should and will be thought-out and meticulous, not a spending spree a la Dave Dombrowski. The Sox have plenty of money to spend, but when it comes to free agents, they should opt for quality, not quantity.

Here are three free agents the Sox should sign and one to avoid.

Red Sox: 3 free agents to sign with 1 to avoid

Sign: Kyle Schwarber

Kyle Schwarber became almost instantly beloved in Boston, and many would like to see him return, including Schwarber himself.

Despite declining his mutual option for 2022, Schwarber is reportedly very open to continuing to call Fenway home, just for the right price. He certainly earned it, hitting .291/.435/.522 with a .957 OPS in 41 regular-season games for the Sox, and hitting the second-most home runs in a season (32) in his career (38) over the campaign as a whole.

The outfielder also came up big throughout their postseason run and learned first base this season in order to help out his team. He’s exactly the kind of guy Red Sox Nation loves: a team player who shows he cares and gives it his all; sending pizza to local firefighters and law enforcement was just the cherry on top of the Schwarbah Sundae.

Good news for Sox fans on the Schwarber front is that Bloom gave explicit confirmation on Tuesday that the Sox will pursue Schwarber, saying “We will… He fits us.”

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