Red Sox ‘All-Interest’ Team: Full list of players Boston was linked to originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Red Sox have become the butt of a running joke since Chaim Bloom replaced Dave Dombrowski in the front office in 2019. They’ve been tabbed as the “Interest Kings” for constantly showing up in free agency and trade rumors, only for the player they’re interested in to land with a different club.
The 2022 offseason has been more of the same. The Red Sox have been linked to several star players and while they’ve made some additions — Chris Martin, Kenley Jansen, Masataka Yoshida and Justin Turner — their success rate with players they’ve been linked to is low.
Tomase: Crazy how little remains from the ’18 World Series champion Red Sox
Here’s a roundup of players the Red Sox reportedly were interested in before they signed with or were traded to another team.
The first Red Sox free-agent rumor of the offseason was their reported interest in former Los Angeles Dodgers southpaw Tyler Anderson. It was between Boston and the LA Angels. The Angels ultimately won the sweepstakes, signing Anderson to a three-year, $39 million contract.
Kodai Senga, SP
Boston was one of several teams linked to Japanese right-hander Kodai Senga. The front office reportedly had been in contact with Senga’s representatives. Despite the Red Sox’ clear need for a top starting pitcher, they whiffed on Senga and lost him to the New York Mets, who signed him to a five-year deal worth $75 million.
Both the Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays reportedly offered Eflin three years and $40 million. The former Philadelphia Phillies righty chose Tampa Bay to be closer to home, according to reports.
The Red Sox were rumored to be among the finalists to sign reliever Tommy Kahnle. The veteran right-hander ended up heading back to his former team, the New York Yankees, on a two-year contract worth $11.5 million.
Seth Lugo, RP
Lugo landed with Bogaerts in San Diego on a two-year, $15 million deal. MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo reported the Red Sox were involved in discussions to sign Lugo.
Sean Murphy, C
Boston reportedly explored a trade for Murphy at the 2022 trade deadline and showed interest in the ex-Oakland A’s catcher this offseason. He ended up being traded to the Atlanta Braves.
Christian Vazquez, C
For a moment, a Christian Vazquez-Red Sox reunion seemed possible. ESPN’s Joon Lee reported Boston had interest in bringing back their former catcher after trading him to the Houston Astros at the deadline. Instead, Vazquez signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Minnesota Twins.
Jose Abreu, 1B
Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported the Red Sox met with Jose Abreu as soon as free agency opened and the veteran slugger was their “No. 1 target.” Abreu eventually signed with the Houston Astros on a three-year, $58 million deal — far more than what the Red Sox offered, per The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier.
Dansby Swanson, SS
With Bogaerts gone and Carlos Correa off the board, Dansby Swanson was the last “elite” shortstop on the free-agent market. The Red Sox were among teams interested, according to multiple reports. Swanson signed a seven-year, $177 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported on Dec. 1 that the Red Sox were among the most serious suitors for Mitch Haniger. He signed a three-year, $54.5 million deal with the San Francisco Giants less than a week later.
JD Martinez, DH
A JD Martinez-Red Sox reunion wasn’t expected, but Heyman reported Boston had interest in making it happen. Later that night, the 2018 World Series champion signed a one-year deal worth $10 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Brandon Drury, INF
According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Red Sox were among the teams in the mix for Drury before he signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.