Division Rival Reportedly Signs Red Sox Free Agent Utility Man To Bolster Depth
The Boston Red Sox's offseason has been underwhelming after back-to-back last-place finishes in the American League East.
Ownership was not willing to open up the checkbook to improve the roster but they did make a slew of changes -- including firing former chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom as well as multiple coaches.
Meanwhile, the baseball operations department made some notable overhauls to the depth of the roster -- both on the pitching and position player fronts. That process started in the second half of last season as they aim for a brighter future.
Among the many players designated for assignment from last season's roster was middle infielder Yu Chang, who will be joining the Tampa Bay Rays organization on a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training according to the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin on Tuesday.
Chang hit .162 with eight extra-base hits including six home runs, 18 RBIs and a .552 OPS in 39 games last season.
Despite having months to put one together, the Red Sox seemingly had no plan up the middle after Xander Bogaerts left for San Diego and Trevor Story had offseason surgery a year ago.
Chang was one of the few reliable defenders on last season's woeful roster but his offensive output was next to nothing.
The 28-year-old will now head back to the Rays -- where he played 36 games in 2022 before getting claimed by the Red Sox to end the year.
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