Report: Red Sox really wanted Jose Abreu in free agency
BOSTON -- Jose Abreu is a member of the Houston Astros. Apparently, the Boston Red Sox did not want that to be the case.
MLB reporter Jon Heyman tweeted on Tuesday that Abreu was "Boston's No. 1 outside target" in free agency, with the Red Sox meeting with Abreu "as soon as free agency opened."
Jose Abreu was Boston’s No. 1 outside target. The Red Sox met with him as soon as free agency opened.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 29, 2022
Despite that reported interest, the Red Sox did not sign Abreu, who's primarily been a first baseman but has also been a designated hitter throughout his career. The soon-to-be-36-year-old instead signed a three-year, $58.5 million contract with the Astros, who also happen to be the reigning World Series champs.
An MVP in 2020 and an All-Star in 2014, 2018 and 2019, Abreu has an .827 OPS over the past two seasons.