Spring training is right around the corner but that may not mean the Boston Red Sox are done making moves.
Boston has made a plethora of additions this offseason and has been connected to even more players it wasn't able to sign. At this point in the offseason things have started to slow down on the rumor front for many teams, but the Red Sox still sound pretty active.
Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom and manager Alex Cora both have insinuated the team may still be in the market for a new middle infielder and there are some intriguing options available. But, if they were going to make a move, it may not make sense to do so until spring training actually begins.
Pitchers and catchers officially report to spring training next week with those participating in the World Baseball Classic arriving on Feb. 13 and the remaining on the 14th. The majority of clubs will have their first full-squad on Feb. 20.
When spring training kicks off, it will also mark the return of the injured list. This may work out in Boston's favor because it will be able to officially add Trevor Story to the 60-day injured list and open up a roster spot. If the team were to do so, they would be able to sign a free agent without having to designate anyone on their current 40-man roster for assignment.
Boston has been heavily linked to Jose Iglesias and Elvis Andrus -- who remain free agents -- but there are other solid middle infield options still available like Donovan Solano. The Red Sox likely will start the season with some sort of combination of Enrique Hernandez, Christian Arroyo, and Adalberto Mondesi manning shortstop and second base, but it wouldn't hurt to add to the group. Mondesi still is recovering from a torn ACL so he may not be ready for Opening Day a move may provide the team more breathing room.
Iglesias, Andrus, and Solano would all make sense for the Red Sox and help fortify the middle infield, but at this point in the offseason, they may not want to cut anyone else from the roster. When they can move Story to the injured list they won't have to deal with this issue any longer and maybe then we could see a move soon after.
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