Red Sox Deemed Potential Surprise Suitor For Six Remaining Marquee Free Agents

Boston could use some notable additions

Will the Boston Red Sox salvage their offseason with a splash or two in the final days of the offseason?

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow remains interested in adding starting pitching and an impact right-handed bat with positional versatility. 

Both needs could be filled at the top of the market, and there has been some belief throughout the industry that the Red Sox will be forced to make a notable move at some point this winter.

"Then again, underestimating (super agent Scott Boras) is dangerous, particularly when many clubs, notably the Cubs, Giants, Blue Jays and Angels, still appear capable of spending big," The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal wrote Thursday. "A surprise team or two (Red Sox, hello?) also could be lurking. So it’s entirely possible the Boras Five and a sixth prominent free agent, Jorge Soler (represented by Dan Lozano), will be handsomely paid."

The "Boras Five" refers to outfielder Cody Bellinger, third baseman Matt Chapman, southpaws Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery plus designated hitter J.D. Martinez. 

Out of all the aforementioned names, Montgomery and Soler appear to be the most logical fits for the Red Sox. Snell would be a notable upgrade as well but he has a qualifying offer attached to him. Breslow has been adamantly against costing the team future wins this offseason and losing a top draft pick fits that mold. 

With Boras holding out for as long as he can, the Red Sox have an opportunity to sign Montgomery and get back closer to relevancy without giving up draft-pick compensation, prospects or franchise-altering money.

Soler would be a strong fit as well but his role is not nearly as impactful as a frontline starting pitcher given the team's overall position-player depth compared to their abysmal pitching pipeline.

Until Montgomery signs, there is a glimmer of hope that the Red Sox leadership group will come to their senses and upgrade their roster.

More MLB: Red Sox Lose Pair Of Hurlers As Phillies, Twins Poach Boston's Pitching Staff