MLB Rumors: Red Sox Linked To 2-Time World Series Champion

For teams still looking to add a bat on the free agent market, the pickings are getting a bit slim. There hasn't been a lot of smoke around former Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel this offseason. The 38-year-old is one of the last first basemen of any consequence still available. One rumor from former big leaguer Carlos Baerga has linked Gurriel to the Boston Red Sox. 

Carlos Baerga has walked back on his initial IG post saying the Red Sox signed Wheelchair Yuli Gurriel to now saying it’s “rumored.”

Good night, Sox Twitter. pic.twitter.com/D1KdH1mYB2

— Chris Henrique (@ChrisHenrique) January 6, 2023

Baerga originally posted on IG that Gurriel had actually signed with Boston, but has now changed that post to read that it's "rumored" instead. 

Nevertheless, if this does go through, he likely wouldn't supplant Bobby Dalbec from his impending first season as a full-time first-sacker. Gurriel would likely DH and spell Dalbec from time to time, but mostly he'd be coming off the bench. 

The 7-year veteran saw his average dip from a career-high .319 in 2021, to a career-low this past season, at .242. His OPS plummeting 200 points to .647, and his OPS+ spiralled down from 131 to just 84. He hit eight homers and drove in 53. 

The only other viable first baseman still available on the free market are Brandon Belt and Jesus Aguilar. 

Photo: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports