Former MVP May Become Available In Free Agency; Could Red Sox Make Shocking Move?

The Boston Red Sox have surprised people this season but likely are a move or two away from competing for a World Series title.

Boston has one of the best farm systems in baseball, so the club will surely get an influx of talent in the not-so-distant future. Although this is the case, the Red Sox likely will need a big free agent signing or trade to help take the club to the next level.

One player who is an unlikely fit, but could be a massive help is Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger.

Bellinger has a mutual option in his contract and likely will opt for free agency this upcoming offseason. The 28-year-old is in line to be one of the most sought-after offensive players on the market, according to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman.

“How high will Cody Bellinger go in free agency? He signed a $17.5 million, one-year deal with the Cubs (he looks good for a $1M Comeback Player of the Year bonus as well), but will get many times that,” Heyman said. Agent Scott Boras called him ‘one of the rare five-tool talents in the major leagues.’ And asked where Bellinger stacks up in free agency, agent Scott Boras said, “Ahead of everyone due to age.”

On first look, Bellinger may not look like a perfect fit for Boston. The Red Sox currently have Masataka Yoshida, Jarren Duran, Alex Verdugo, and Adam Duvall all on the big league roster.

Duvall will be a free agent at the end of the season and Verdugo has found his name in trade rumors this season. Boston is in the market for new pitching and packaging someone like Verdugo in a deal could help bring a hurler to town.

If the Red Sox were to lose both Verdugo and Duvall, signing him to add another lefty into the mix certainly couldn’t hurt. The offseason still is very far away and a move may be unlikely, but it doesn’t hurt to think ahead.