The Boston Red Sox are diving headfirst into what'll be a pivotal offseason for the franchise, and there's plenty of rumors to be had both from the trade and free agency markets. Here's the latest news & rumors you need to know:
Red Sox not pursuing Encarnacion
Boston was thought to be one of the main suitors for Edwin Encarnacion this offseason, but that is not the case. According to WEEI's Rob Bradford, they aren't even pursuing him:
He was the guy David Ortiz endorsed to be his heir apparent. He was the free agent most everybody was quick to suggest would be the Red Sox' chief offseason target. Yet, 1 1/2 weeks into the offseason, Edwin Encarnacion seems to live on the distant outskirts of Dave Dombrowski's radar.
According to major league sources, as of Sunday, the Red Sox and Encarnacion's camp had yet to engage in any serious discussions. It's very early, but somewhat telling.
The news would line up with Dombrowski's numerous proclamations at the recent GM meetings that the roster spot left behind was preferably going to be come the way of a shorter term deal. We're probably not even talking about something like a three-year contract, which is what Kendrys Morales just agreed to with the Blue Jays.
Encarnacion batted .263 with 42 homers and 127 RBIs this past season.
Red Sox in final group for Beltran
Bradford also reports that Carlos Beltran is the player the Red Sox have targeted to replace Ortiz, and the Red Sox are one of four teams that are a finalist for his services:
According to a source familiar with the negotiations, four teams have currently shown the most interest in the 39-year-old outfielder/designated hitter — the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Yankees and Astros. The Rangers, once thought to be in the mix for Beltran, are not involved at this point.
Beltran hit .295 with 29 homers and 93 RBIs this season with the Yankees and Rangers.
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