The Boston Red Sox are expected to “be in the mix” for
reportedly available Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton, reports
Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. Meanwhile, outfielder Jason Bay, who
recently became a free agent after reaching an agreement on a contract buyout
with the New York Mets, would be “very interested” in returning to the Red Sox,
reports Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.
The Diamondbacks are once again actively shopping outfielder Justin Upton and despite the appearance of the Red Sox on Upton’s no-trade list, that would not prohibit a trade of the 25-year-old to Boston, according to a major-league source.
While Silverman doesn’t list an Upton trade as likely for
the Red Sox, he does say that Boston’s inclusion on the slugger’s no-trade list
won’t impact his availability. Silverman adds that outfielder Carl Crawford had
the Los Angeles Dodgers on his no-trade list.
While the Red Sox figure to face significant competition if
they attempt to acquire Upton, the team has at least one free agent that’s
interested in signing with them this winter; Jason Bay. However, it’s unclear
how much, if any, interest Boston would have in bringing the veteran back.
Bay had arguably his best season with the Red Sox in 2009
before he signed his lucrative free agent contract with the New York Mets. He’s
since battled injuries and ineffectiveness in Flushing, but he’s hoping for a
new start this offseason.
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