Red Sox Reportedly Never Contacted Ex-Blue Jays All-Star Despite Rumors
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The Boston Red Sox seemingly were linked to every big-name player available this offseason.
Boston entered the offseason with plenty of holes on the roster after winning just 78 games in 2023. The starting rotation certainly is the club's biggest question mark -- and still is with Opening Day just two weeks away.
While this is the case, the club's second-largest hole entering the offseason arguably was second base. Boston has struggled at second base over the last few years and looked to fill the hole.
Boston ultimately traded Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves this offseason for infielder Vaughn Grissom and he is expected to be the club's second baseman for the foreseeable future.
Before landing Grissom, there were plenty of rumors involving the Red Sox. One player who was linked to Boston on multiple occasions was three-time All-Star Whit Merrifield.
At one point it seemed like Merrifield could be a solid option for Boston, but the club reportedly never spoke to him in free agency, according to WEEI's Rob Bradford.
"Whit Merrifield said he never heard from the Red Sox this offseason," Bradford said.
Merrifield was an All-Star last season with the Toronto Blue Jays and clubbed 11 home runs, drove in 67 runs, stole 26 runs, and slashed .272/.318/.382 in 145 total appearances.
The 35-year-old eventually landed a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies in free agency.
Signing Merrifield could've made sense for Boston, but he would've been a short-term option. Grissom currently is injured, but he is under team control until 2030 and is just 23 years old.
More MLB: Reunion With Ex-Red Sox Outfielder Reportedly Unlikely Despite Solid 2023 Season
