Should Red Sox Sign Padres Free Agent After First All-Star Season

The Boston Red Sox have already been active this offseason, but still have needs to address. Their top priority is likely still Alex Bregman, but he is not the only position player the team could be targeting.

While stars like Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber could be targets for the Red Sox, there are some under-the-radar targets for the team on the open market as well. One of those players could be Ryan O’Hearn. However, would he actually move the needle for the Red Sox?

O’Hearn was traded from the Baltimore Orioles to the San Diego Padres last season. He was an All-Star for the first time in his career and had a career year. He hit a career-best 17 home runs and posted his highest OPS in a full season.

The veteran first baseman and outfielder could help the Red Sox while Triston Casas recovers from his season-ending injury. However, he should not be more than a backup plan for the Red Sox.

He is not going to be much use to the Red Sox as an outfielder. Boston already has a surplus there. O’Hearn would be limited to designated hitter and first base. However, Alonso would be a much better addition in that role.

O’Hearn is projected to sign a two-year, $22 million deal. He is not going to cost much, and the Red Sox seem willing to spend to add to the lineup. However, O’Hearn is not the kind of bat Boston should be targeting.

The Red Sox ranked 15th in home runs last season, but they struggled in the power department after the calendar flipped to August. After Aug. 1, Boston hit the third-fewest home runs in baseball. O’Hearn is a decent power hitter, but he is not going to change much for the Boston there. That money would be better spent on Schwarber or Alonso.