Dansby Swanson is the lone shortstop remaining of the four stars that were available this offseason, and the Boston Red Sox continue to get linked to him.
After losing Xander Bogaerts to the San Diego Padres, the Red Sox badly need to add in the infield. As of now, they’d likely be entering the season with Trevor Story at shortstop and Christian Arroyo at second. With Bogaerts gone and both Trea Turner and Carlos Correa signed elsewhere, Boston's options are thinning.
But according to Audacy MLB Insider Jon Heyman, the Red Sox are "seriously considering" Swanson.
"Red Sox appear to be seriously considering star free agent Dansby Swanson now," Heyman wrote. "Would allow them to keep Story at 2B. Swanson’s in very good shape: Cubs, Dodgers, Braves among others interested."
MassLive’s Chris Cotillo noted that people in the Red Sox organization have not publicly or privately ruled out adding Swanson.
Swanson might not have the track record Correa, Turner and Bogaerts have, but he is coming off his best season in the big leagues. He won a Gold Glove and made his first All-Star team in 2022, hitting .277 with a .776 OPS, 25 homers and 96 RBIs. He also played in every game this season and has a long track record of durability.
The Red Sox aren’t alone in needing a shortstop though, and those who have signed before the 28-year-old have helped set a high bar for him. Especially if a bidding war starts, he could be an expensive add.
That said, adding Swanson would put everyone in a more appropriate spot. Story has great range, which is why the Red Sox seem content enough to play him at shortstop if needed, but he’s better suited at second. Arroyo could be an everyday player, but the Red Sox instead having him as an option off the bench would be preferable.
Adding Swanson might not offset some of the frustration of not retaining Bogaerts, but it would at least somewhat brighten the outlook on the 2023 Red Sox.
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