Red Sox, Rangers emerge as favorites for underrated free agent target

The Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers are reportedly “serious suitors” for an underrated outfield free agent.

MLB Hot Stove season heats up in each passing day. But for baseball fans wanting a flurry of action, that will happen at the winter meetings in San Diego, Calif. from Sunday, Dec. 4 until Wednesday, Dec. 7. For teams in need of an outfielder, there is one name who has gotten attention from the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers.

According to MLB Network insider Jon Morosi, the Red Sox and Rangers are “serious suitors” for former Seattle Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger.

Red Sox, Rangers reportedly ‘serious suitors’ for Mitch Haniger

The Red Sox have an interesting offseason ahead of them, as shortstop Xander Bogaerts is hitting free agency. Not to mention, they missed out on the postseason in 2022.

As for the Rangers, they have indicated that they are making a push towards postseason contention. They signed Jon Gray, Corey Seager, and Marcus Semien last winter. And this winter, they brought former San Francisco Giants manager and three-time World Series champion Bruce Bochy out of retirement.

Haniger had been with the Mariners since 2017, and was limited to just 57 games this past season. In that stretch of games, Haniger recorded a .246 batting average, a .308 on-base percentage, a .429 slugging percentage, 11 home runs, 34 RBI, and 55 hits.

These numbers last year were a drop-off as compared to his 2021 campaign, where he slashed .253/.318/.485 and recorded 39 home runs, 100 RBI, 110 hits, and 157 hits in 157 games.

It’s obvious the Red Sox and Rangers are looking for more power in their batting order, and have targeted Haniger as an option. But, as always, we wait and see if either team actually signs him.