Red Sox were shockingly deemed fit for four-time National League All-Star

As the Boston Red Sox prepare to watch the playoffs from their living rooms again in 2024, it's clear that something has to change.

Despite looking like a playoff team at times in 2024, the Red Sox were eliminated from contention on Wednesday after a dismal second half. Worse, some still claim they overperformed this season, which is never a statement you want to hear from a Red Sox team that missed the playoffs.

Right-handed power is something the Red Sox lineup already lacks, and the gap will grow even larger if outfielder Tyler O'Neill hits free agency. Given the long list of lefties clogging up the lineup, adding a right-handed power bat could be a key agenda item for Boston's return in October.

On Friday, FanSided's Zachary Pressnell named the New York Mets' star first baseman a surprise candidate for the Red Sox in free agency.

“Alonso is a generational talent for the New York Mets, but he is now poised to enter unrestricted free agency after hitting 226 home runs in six seasons with the team,” Pressnell said. “New York is expected to be very active in the market for Juan Soto, which could cost them more than $550 million if they sign him. Boston has the ability to step in and steal Alonso from them while they pursue Soto.”

“Adding Alonso would not mean putting Casas on the bench. It would mean each of them splitting time at first base and DH. Boston could make it work. First base is not an emergency position, but Alonso is a game-changer.”

With 226 home runs since his rookie season in 2019, Alonso is in a class with only Aaron Judge when it comes to consistent power production. Even in a “bad year” in 2024, he threw 34 longballs, posted a 126 OPS+, and made an All-Star team, even though many disagreed with his selection.

The problem with adding Alonso, as Pressnell points out, would be the logjam his positional limitations would cause. If Alonso or Casas had to be used in the DH slot every day, Masataka Yoshida would have to be moved. It would also ensure that Rafael Devers stays at third base for the long haul, something the Red Sox may want to avoid.

However, if Craig Breslow and the front office decide this is the right way to improve the roster, that's far better than standing still and allowing the other contenders to grab all the All-Star free agents. Alonso may hardly be a good fit for Boston, but if he can be a 40-homer hitter, he'll be a damn good player.

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