Red Sox second base search turns toward top rival
![Apr 9, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Trevor Story (10) slides into New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) attempting to break up double play in the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2023/11/USATSI_18052261-copy.jpg)
Apr 9, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA: Trevor Story of the Boston Red Sox slides into Gleyber Torres of the New York Yankees, attempting to break up a double play at second base during a game at Yankee Stadium. (Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports)
The Boston Red Sox’ second base situation is dire. So they appear to be treading every possible path to land a legitimate starter at the position.
According to Jim Bowden, the former longtime major league exec who is now a national writer at The Athletic, second base is a “priority” for the Red Sox this off-season. To the point that they’ve even talked to … the New York Yankees?
Bowden reports that the Red Sox have already “engaged in talks” with both the Yankees about Gleyber Torres and the Cincinnati Reds about Jonathan India. Asked about the Padres’ Ha-Seong Kim in his original mailbag, Bowden says San Diego “is not looking to move him” but may consider a hypothetical trade offer like Tanner Houck and Red Sox second base prospect Nick Yorke.
Believe it or not, Torres is still just 26 years old and only two days older than India, having won the race to the major leagues by three seasons. Torres has established himself as a solid power-hitting second baseman at the highest level. His 49 home runs over the past two seasons are third in the majors among second basemen.
![BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 12: Pablo Reyes #19 of the Boston Red Sox slides safe into second base past Gleyber Torres #25 of the New York Yankees during the sixth inning at Fenway Park on September 12, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2023/11/GettyImages-1677158300-copy.jpg)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 12: Pablo Reyes #19 of the Boston Red Sox slides safe into second base past Gleyber Torres #25 of the New York Yankees during the sixth inning at Fenway Park on September 12, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
India, meanwhile, won the NL Rookie of the Year award in 2021, when he hit 21 home runs with an .835 OPS, but has regressed in some areas over the past two years. He did, however, hit 17 home runs in just 119 games in 2023, a 23-homer pace.
Either India or Torres would represent a marked upgrade for the Red Sox at second. Boston’s current realistic options are Pablo Reyes and Emmanuel Valdez, who combined for eight home runs in 113 games last season. Ceddanne Rafaela is capable of playing second base, but he’s best suited as an outfielder.
The Red Sox could also look toward free agency for a second baseman. Whit Merrifield and Adam Frazier are among the most appealing options on the open market. Check out our full top-20 free agent rankings below.
MLB free agent rankings: The top-20 players available in 2023
Baseball is about to kick into high gear for the 2023 off-season. Here are the latest MLB free agent rankings from 985TheSportsHub.com, the top-20 players available regardless of position…
1. SP/DH Shohei Ohtani
![Shohei Ohtani easily takes the top spot in our MLB free agent rankings for 2023](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2023/11/GettyImages-1558100905-copy.jpg)
Shohei Ohtani easily takes the top spot in our MLB free agent rankings for 2023. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
Ohtani may be coming off elbow surgery, which will keep him away from pitching until 2025. But despite that, Ohtani is STILL easily the best player available on the free-agent market, because he’s easily the best overall player in baseball.
A star with both a bat and a ball, Ohtani is a once-in-a-lifetime two-way talent. The concern is whether he will be the same guy as a pitcher when he finally returns to the mound in 2025. But even a diminished version of Ohtani would still be a solid starting pitcher, combined with elite power as a hitter.
So, you can still expect teams to line up and bid to pay Ohtani serious megabucks for 2023 and beyond. Perhaps the surgery knocks the money down a peg for him, but he should still be looking at a record-breaking contract as the top player in our MLB free agent rankings.
(UPDATE: Ohtani announced that he is signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The contract is reportedly 10 years and $700 million.)
2. OF Cody Bellinger
![CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 23: Cody Bellinger #24 of the Chicago Cubs hits a two-run home run in the first inning of the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on July 23, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2023/11/GettyImages-1565621732-copy.jpg)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 23: Cody Bellinger #24 of the Chicago Cubs hits a two-run home run in the first inning of the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on July 23, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Bellinger is in for a very nice payday, as the next-best hitter on the market after Ohtani. He’s coming off a season where he posted a .307 batting average and .881 OPS with 26 home runs in just 130 games.
As long as Bellinger is healthy, he’s pretty much a lock for 30-plus home runs in a starting outfield spot. Any team willing to spend that’s in need of power in the outfield, or even first base, should be calling about Bellinger.
Matt, a North Andover, Massachusetts native, has been with The Sports Hub since 2010. Growing up the son of Boston University All-American and Melrose High School hall-of-fame hockey player Steve Dolloff, sports was always a part of his life. After attending Northeastern University, Matt focused his love of sports on writing, extensively writing about all four major Boston teams. He also is a co-host of the Sports Hub Underground podcast and is a regular on-air contributor on the Sports Hub. Matt writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.