New York Mets starting pitcher Chris Bassitt. Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Analyst: Red Sox should target 'perfect' fit pitcher in free agency

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Jason Burgos | Last updated 11/29/22

One analyst for MLB network believes a specific pitcher in MLB free agency would be a “perfect guy” for the Boston Red Sox rotation in 2023.

The Red Sox are in an interesting situation heading into free agency this winter. They had a down year in 2022 and clearly need to make some upgrades if they hope to return to prominence and seriously compete with the New York Yankees in 2023.

However, homegrown star Xander Bogaerts is a free agent the team needs to retain, and there is a great deal of talk surrounding the team giving third baseman Rafael Devers a long-term extension.

Plus, after five seasons with the team, pitcher Nathan Eovaldi is on the market and could leave a major hole in the rotation.

There are several questions and issues the team needs to address in the coming months. Yet, one MLB analyst believes one answer should be for the organization to target a specific player in free agency.

There are several very talented starting pitchers available in free agency, and MLB Network analyst Bill Ripken believes the Red Sox should target a member of the New York Mets rotation that is up for grabs. But not superstar ace Jacob deGrom.

“I just said [Xander Bogaerts’] got to stay and I said they need to make another move if they want to be in contention. I think Bassitt is the perfect guy for the Boston Red Sox. … I just think, Boston if they’re going to make a push here — the Blue Jays have shown up, the Rays are going to be the Rays, the Yankees aren’t going to go away, and the Orioles got an awful lot better — so if you’re Boston and you want to make a move, Bassitt could be a good guy to start with.”
– Bill Ripken on Red Sox in free agency (via SI.com)

This past season was Chris Bassitt’s first year in New York after six seasons in Oakland, which included a trip to the All-Star game in 2021.

This year, the 33-year-old was a strong and reliable part of the starting rotation as he went 15-9 and became very important as aces Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer both missed significant time in 2022.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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