MLB insider: Red Sox linked to several top free agents, including slugging infielder

Willy Adames could be a power bat in the heart of the Red Sox' lineup next summer.

The hot stove across MLB has yet to heat up this winter.

But even before the free-agency feeding frenzy begins in earnest next month, the Red Sox continue to get linked to some of the top players on the open market.

Beyond Boston’s reported interest in Juan Soto, USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale tabbed another top slugger as being on Boston’s radar.

“The Red Sox also have a strong interest in All-Star free-agent shortstop Willy Adames, who is willing to move to third base,” Nightengale wrote.

Adames could land on Boston’s radar this offseason, especially if the Red Sox follow through on Ken Rosenthal’s proposed offseason deal sending Triston Casas to the Mariners.

By moving a slugging first baseman like Casas for pitching help, Boston could shift Rafael Devers over to first base, opening a spot in the infield for Adames.

The 29-year-old Adames has been a productive bat for years now, with the former Rays infielder slugging 32 home runs and driving in 112 runs with Milwaukee during the 2024 campaign.

While Adames would give Boston some power from the right side of the plate, the Red Sox’ top priority this offseason still revolves around adding starting pitching.

Boston should have no shortage of options on the free-agent market between names like Corbin Burnes, Roki Sasaki, Max Fried, Blake Snell, and Jack Flaherty.

But according to Nightengale, Boston is looking to enter spring training with just one top pitcher added to the roster.

“This is why they met with Soto, told everyone how well it went, and informed agents that they not only want to sign one of the marquee free-agent pitchers in Corbin Burnes, Max Fried and Blake Snell, but actually want to sign two,” Nightengale wrote. “They are adamant on signing at least one lefty between Fried and Snell.”

Nightengale is far from the first MLB writer to suggest that the Red Sox are looking to add multiple arms this offseason.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan noted last week that the Red Sox were looking to add at least two impact starters this offseason.

“They have the opportunity and ability to do that,” Passan said of the Red Sox possibly signing and trading for a star pitcher this offseason. “They could very easily go and sign Max Fried and then trade for Garrett Crochet. That is not an unrealistic possibility.”

Fried has been one of the best pitchers in baseball for years now, having earned two All-Star twice to go along with two top-five Cy Young finishes. He went 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA over 174.3 innings pitched last season with the Braves.

Snell, a former Cy Young winner with the Rays, had an up-and-down season with the Giants in 2024. But he saved his best pitching for the end of the season, posting a 1.31 ERA and striking out 111 batters over 75.1 innings after the 2024 All-Star Break.

Burnes is expected to be the top pitcher on the free agent market given both his age (30) and resume. Burnes is a former Cy Young Award winner in Milwaukee with a career 3.19 ERA. He pitched last season with Baltimore, posting a 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA.