Weekend reports share dollar amount on Red Sox Yoshinobu Yamamoto offer

Just how much the Boston Red Sox are willing to spend has been a key question around the team for the last few free agency cycles. When it comes to this offseason, it sounds like there is at least one player the team is willing to open up the check book for.

Over the weekend, multiple reports indicated the Red Sox have made an offer to Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. According to MLB insiders Marino Pepen and Jim Bowden, the Sox's offer to Yamamoto exceeds $300 million.

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Pepen added that the contract proposal from the Red Sox includes "causes and incentives convenient for both parties." Bowden noted that in addition to the Red Sox, the San Francisco Giants also have a $300-plus million offer on the table, with "other [teams] too making strong runs."

Among those other teams are likely the New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers, who Yamamoto has reportedly already met with. He's expected to meet with the Red Sox in the coming days, as well as the Toronto Blue Jays and potentially the Philadelphia Phillies.

Yamamoto, 25, went 16-6 in 23 starts in the NBP last year, posting a 1.21 ERA and 0.884 WHIP. The righty struck out 169 hitters with just 28 walks in 164 innings. That performance saw Yamamoto win his third consecutive Pacific League MVP, third consecutive Sawamura Award (the Japanese Cy Young Award) and was named to his fifth NBP All-Star Game.

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Since Dustin Pedroia lost his chokehold on second base for the Red Sox (Looking at you, Manny Machado), it’s been a constant battle to find stability at the keystone again. Trevor Story was initially signed to fill those shoes in 2022, but with his home now being shortstop until Marcelo Mayer is ready, there’s a need for at least a 1-year stopgap at second base. The Red Sox have made it clear their priority is strong defense at the position, but I’d argue they still need another impact bat from the right side as well.

In 2023, the Red Sox were the worst defensive team at second base in baseball with -12 Defensive Runs Saved and -13 Outs Above Average. Not a great recipe when you’re relying on a ground ball machine like Brayan Bello to flourish with a 56.2 GB%. Or trying to sell a free agent like Jordan Montgomery, who doesn’t miss a ton of bats, on coming to Boston.

On the offensive side of things, it was a bit better, but not by much. 12 different players appeared at the position, which resulted in a lackluster 87 wRC+ that ranked 20th out of 30 teams. This comes into focus even more with the struggles Trevor Story has had at the plate since signing with the Red Sox.

Enmanuel Valdez, Pablo Reyes, and David Hamilton all remain as internal candidates. Valdez was challenged by Alex Cora to improve his defense, which will be something to watch after his time in the Dominican Winter League. But considering how tight-lipped the Red Sox have been under Craig Breslow, it’s hard to ignore how forthcoming he’s been about wanting to add at second base.

So, let’s dive into 5 external options that can make sense through trade or free agency.

If you’re asking me, there’s not a better fit for what the Red Sox need than 31-year-old Brandon Drury. With Justin Turner departing in free agency and a crowded outfield, it doesn’t seem like a full-time DH is in the Red Sox plans. That means another impact right-handed bat is needed to help balance out the middle of the lineup.

In 2023, Drury hit .262/.306/.497/.803 with 26 home runs and 30 doubles for a 114 wRC+. That was the 7th-best mark amongst all second baseman, putting him just behind Gleybar Torres and one spot ahead of Ha-Seong Kim. He also shined with the glove, finishing the season in the 87th percentile for Outs Above Average with time also spent at first base.

The Red Sox finished as runner-ups for Drury last offseason, after he chose to sign with the Angels for 2-years, $17 MM. Big reason for that was his relationship with the recently fired Phil Nevin. Now, he’s on the hook for one more season in Anaheim at $8.5 MM.

Adding Drury’s versatility to the mix would click for a Red Sox team trying to put together a more functional roster after years of dysfunction. This past season, Drury worked at only second base and first base. In 2022 though, he appeared at every position in the infield along with right field.

The Angels are still trying to compete as they transition away from the Shohei Ohtani era. Alex Verdugo was predicted as a possible match by some earlier in the offseason, but obviously that option is now off the table. Maybe the two can find a match with the Red Sox having a surplus of bullpen options and the Angels needing some major help in that department.

Jorge Polanco  is another potential trade option for the Red Sox, but he doesn’t offer the same all-around profile as Drury. Still, there’s a lot to like when it comes to his offensive profile and ability to switch-hit. Where things get concerning are with his defense and durability.

In 80 games last season, Polanco showed his consistency with the bat, as he slashed .255/.335/.454/.789 with 14 homers and 18 doubles in only 80 games. That left him with the highest wRC+ of any option on this list at 118.

4 different trips to the injured list was concerning though, especially after playing only 102 games the season before. He is a year younger than Drury though, as he’s prepared to enter his age-30 season with only one more guaranteed year on his deal at $10.5 MM. That does include a $12.5 MM team-option for 2025 with a $750K buyout.

Defensively, Polanco’s shortcomings really come into focus. Dating back to 2021, he hasn’t finished better than the 13th percentile for Outs Above Average. Not the type of upgrade the Red Sox have alluded to so far this offseason.

Still, the conversation may change as the offseason goes along and options dwindle. Getting an above-average bat at second base would still be a major improvement over what the Red Sox had this past season. Twins are a perfect partner for deals right as they look to lower payroll.

Felt like a year ago Ha-Seong Kim was every Red Sox fan’s favorite target, especially after Trevor Story underwent the internal brace procedure. It’s a shame a deal never happened, because Kim broke out in a big way for the Padres. He finished 14th in MVP voting in the NL and brought home a Gold Glove.

Kim put together his best offensive season since coming over to the states, as he batted .260/.351/.398/.749 with 17 homers and 23 doubles. That gave him a solid 112 wRC+, which was just a few ticks below Drury and Polanco. He also made a massive impact on the basepaths, stealing 38 bags in 47 attempts, something Alex Cora has been wanting more of for years.

The biggest part of Kim’s breakout had to do with his defensive ability, as he became a walking highlight reel at third base, second base, and shortstop. It showed across all the different defensive metrics, with 16 defensive runs saved and a 96th percentile finish in Outs Above Average.

Out of all the names on this list, Kim is the youngest, as he enters his age-28 season. He’s due $8 MM in 2024 with a mutual option for 2025 that he won’t pick-up ($2 MM buyout). Considering he posted a 4.4 fWAR in 2023, he’d be the most costly trade option for the Red Sox.

Whit Merrifield is the best second base option currently on the free agent market, and we know the Red Sox have checked in there. He made the third All-Star team of his career this past season, as he shined on defense and put up mediocre offensive numbers for the Blue Jays. Crazy to think he’s entering his age-35 season.

If the Red Sox end up taking a chance on Merrifield, it’ll be because they’re hoping to strengthen their defense up the middle. Despite not looking great in either outfield corner, he put up 4 Outs Above Average at second base. Still, that versatility could come in handy if Mayer surges to the bigs in 2024 or if a multi-year deal gets done.

When it comes to doing damage with the bat, that’s not really something Merrifield offers at this point in his career. His line of .272/.318/.382/.700 in 2023 is a considerable step down from the first 3 names on the list. Despite the below-average 93 wRC+, he did steal 26 bags in 36 attempts.

Heading into the offseason, MLBTradeRumors.com projected Merrifield would land a 2-year deal worth $18 MM total. Unlike Drury, Polanco, and Kim, he doesn’t require any type of trade return. It’s all about money.

One thing to consider with Merrifield is that he has value off the field as well. His leadership holds weight, especially with Justin Turner likely leaving the clubhouse. That might be something Alex Cora is looking for in his dugout as he tries to instill more of that dirt dog mindset.

Lastly, we have Tim Anderson, who was the best player on this list just a few years ago. He’s seen his stock fall off as a cliff as both his power and defense have faded significantly. But maybe there’s a chance he can find himself again with a full-time move to second base?

Anderson didn’t have many positives in 2023. He was the worst qualified hitter in the game, accumulating a line of .245/.286/.296/.582 with a measly homer in 123 games. That left him with a 60 wRC+, which is worse than Javier Baez’s mark of 61.

After years holding down shortstop, Anderson did get some time at 2B this season. Only 18 innings, but he posted 0 defensive runs saved over that stretch. It was an absolute disaster at shortstop though, as he finished 2023 with -16 defensive runs saved at the position.

With this type of falloff, you wouldn’t think Anderson is entering his age-31 season. Still, he blames some of his struggles this season on a left knee sprain he sustained on April 10th against the Twins. If he can even return to his 2022 form, that’s still a really solid player to have on your team.

Looking at what the Red Sox need on both sides of the ball right now, Anderson feels like a risky option, even just for a one-year bounce back contract. He plays with a chip on his shoulder though that has seemingly been missing from the team in recent years. If Breslow is hoping for some major upside, Anderson offers as much as any name on this list.