Insider Continues To Link Red Sox To Top Free Agent Slugger

The Boston Red Sox are expected to look to add an impact bat, and the team continues to get linked to one name.

Boston is looking for a middle-of-the-order bat, and one name the Red Sox are linked to is New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso.

Alonso would add some thump to Boston’s lineup, and Red Sox insider Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic expects the Red Sox to pursue Alonso in free agency.

“I do think the Red Sox will be in on Alonso,” McCaffrey wrote in a piece published on Thursday. “At the end-of-season news conference, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow noted on more than one occasion the need for more power in the lineup. Throughout the season, it was clear manager Alex Cora wished the lineup had more thump, noting the difficulty of consistently stringing together hits. …

“He’s not a perfect fit, though. He will be 31 in December and likely command a monster deal. He’s reportedly seeking a seven-year deal, one likely north of $175 million. If obtained by Boston, he likely would be shifted to designated hitter at some point during the contract.”

As McCaffrey notes, Alonso might not be the best fit for the Red Sox lineup, but his bat could make up for some defensive flaws at first base.

Alonso hit .272 with 38 home runs and 126 RBIs last season with the Mets. The soon-to-be 31-year-old would help Boston hit more home runs, which Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the team needs to improve on.

However, Boston won’t be the only team that will be in on Alonso, so whether the Red Sox land the slugger is to be seen.