Report: Red Sox have shown interest in OF Eddie Rosario
By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
With Mookie Betts now in LA and Jackie Bradley an unrestricted free agent, the Red Sox need to restock their outfield with major league talent. Earlier this offseason, former NL MVP Kris Bryant was floated as a rumored replacement for Chaim Bloom’s club.
On Thursday a new less well-know but perhaps more interesting name was added to the conversation. Per Sources: #RedSox have some interest in the non-tendered Eddie Rosario, although he likely would need to handle Fenway's difficult RF. Alex Cora, as GM, selected Rosario for Team Puerto Rico at the 2017 @WBCBaseball.
Yes, I’ve turned a Hot Stove update into a WBC note. 😉 @MLB
Rosario spent his first six major league seasons in Minnesota as an everyday player. His rookie year, he led all of baseball with 15 triples in 2015. As his power developed, he became a well-rounded offensive talent. In his last full season (discounting the limited 2020 campaign) he hit .276 with 32 home runs and 109 RBI. He finished top-20 in AL MVP voting in both 2019 and 2020.
Sep 2, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins left fielder Eddie Rosario (20) hits a two run home run in the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
The Red Sox have an extra level of familiarity with Rosario than they would the average free agent. In 2017, Rosario played for the silver medal-winning Puerto Rico team in the World Baseball Classic – a team managed by Alex Cora.
If Rosario were to come to Boston, the biggest question would be how he fit into the defensive alignment of the outfield. In six seasons, Rosario has started 547 of his 640 outfield games in left. What helps Boston here is the defensive flexibility of both Alex Verdugo and Andrew Benintendi. They could see how Rosario handles the complicated right field of Fenway Park, but if he proves to be an issue Verdugo could move to right field (where he played 30 of 49 games last season), with Rosario flipping to left and Benintendi taking over in center.
With a week to go until the (virtual) Winter Meetings, unnotably more names will become connected to the Red Sox. While pitching will likely be the main focus, the team could stand to add an outfield bat or two as well. Given Rosario’s skillset and connection to Alex Cora, his situation certainly bears watching.
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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at Alexander.Barth@bbgi.com.
