Red Sox ‘are going to be high on the list’ for slugger José Abreu (report)
Abreu does not have the $19.65 million qualifying offer attached to him
The market for free agent slugger José Abreu will reportedly include the Red Sox, according to Bruce Levine who reported this while on the Inside the Clubhouse podcast (670 The Score).
The Red Sox, Cubs, Astros and Marlins “are going to be high on the list,” said Levine.
“When you talk about the Boston Red Sox, when you talk about the Houston Astros, when you talk about Miami, those are real fits for Abreu,” Levine said.
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Boston is looking to address multiple holes in the lineup, including potentially replacing free agent designated hitter J.D. Martinez.
Abreu makes sense for Boston because he could slide right into the DH spot or even play first base whenever Triston Casas and Eric Hosmer needed a day off.
The former White Sox power threat does not have the $19.65 million qualifying offer attached to him.
Abreu will turn 36 in January and is coming off a strong 2022 campaign. His home run production dropped, only hitting 15 homers last season but he hit .304 with 40 doubles.
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The 2020 AL MVP, three-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner would provide a veteran presence in the lineup and be a nice replacement for Martinez.
The competition for Abreu is said to be real, the Cubs view his as a “priority” according to Levine. “It won’t be a slam dunk that the Cubs get Abreu. It’s not like they’re signing him tomorrow,” added Levine.
Boston has work to do this winter trying to bring Xander Bogaerts back, searching for starting pitching and more.
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