Perhaps the Red Sox are pursuing a big fish in free agency after all. Audacy MLB Insider Jon Heyman reported Tuesday morning that Boston has "joined the Freddie Freeman sweepstakes."
Along with shortstops Carlos Correa and Trevor Story, Freeman (a first baseman) is one of the biggest names still on the free-agent market.
Freeman, 32, has been one of the best and most consistent hitters in baseball throughout his 12-year career. Over the last six seasons, he has hit .305 with a .946 OPS while averaging 33 home runs and 103 RBIs per 162 games.
Freeman was the National League MVP in 2020 and helped lead the Braves to a World Series title in 2021. He hit .304 with five home runs, 11 RBIs and a 1.045 OPS in 16 playoff games last fall.
The Dodgers have been believed to be the favorites to land Freeman, but Heyman says things are getting "more interesting," with the Red Sox and three of their AL East rivals -- the Yankees, Blue Jays and Rays -- showing interest in Freeman as well.
The Braves, meanwhile, have already found their Freeman replacement, pulling off a blockbuster trade with the Athletics to acquire Matt Olson.
The Red Sox could certainly use a first baseman, as they would currently have Bobby Dalbec at the top of their depth chart at that position. They made Kyle Schwarber into a temporary first baseman late last season and into the playoffs, but may not view the now-free agent as a full-season solution there.
A serious pursuit of Freeman would still come as a bit of a surprise, though, especially since any deal Freeman signs will likely take him into at least his late 30s.