The Boston Red Sox entered December needing a talented bat after trading Hunter Renfroe. When the MLB lockout ends and free agency opens, the Red Sox could reportedly be poised to make a significant free-agent splash.
Many expected Boston to be relatively quiet in free agency, making small additions to their rotation and adding free-agent hitters who offered value on short-term contracts. It would allow the franchise to stay under the luxury tax, opening the door to bigger deals in 2023.
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But with CBA talks opening the possibility of raising the luxury-tax threshold, Boston could reportedly have a significant addition ready to be made when the lockout ends.
According to Yahoo Japan, Boston is favored to land Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki this offseason. Furthermore, many league officials expect the Nippon Professional Baseball league star to sign with Boston shortly after a new CBA is signed.
- Seiya Suzuki stats: .317 BA, 38 home runs, 88 RBIs and 1.069 OPS
The 27-year-old outfielder made his NPB debut in 2013 and has been an integral part of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp’s success. But with ambitions of playing Major League Baseball, the Carp posted Suzuki for bidding this winter right before the MLB lockout began.
A five-time NPB All-Star selection, Suzuki is a right-handed bat who can play the corner outfield. Suzuki has virtually met with at least eight teams, drawing interest from the Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays.
Under new international rules, a specific percentage of Suzuki’s earnings will be given to the Carp. It begins with 20 percent of his first $25 million, 17.5 percent of his next $25 million, and 15 percent of anything else. He is expected to land a multi-year contract this spring.