Red Sox Trade All-Star Infielder…
The Boston Red Sox approached the offseason with several specific needs, one of which centered around securing stability at second base. After exploring various options, they ultimately opted to address this by acquiring infielder Vaughn Grissom in a trade that saw left-handed pitcher Chris Sale heading to the Atlanta Braves.
However, prior to finalizing the deal for the promising 23-year-old Grissom, the Red Sox reportedly explored the possibility of acquiring a more seasoned player with All-Star credentials. MassLive’s Sean McAdam revealed that at the outset of the offseason, the Red Sox expressed interest in infielder Jorge Polanco. They reached out to the Minnesota Twins, who held Polanco’s rights, to gauge the feasibility of a potential deal, but discussions did not progress beyond preliminary inquiries.
Polanco’s recent performance reflects a mix of productivity and injury challenges. Despite dealing with lingering left hamstring issues in 2022, he managed to compile a batting average of .255 with 32 extra-base hits, including 14 home runs, and a respectable .789 OPS over 80 games. Similarly, his 2021 campaign showcased his offensive prowess, with a batting average of .269, 70 extra-base hits, including 33 homers, and a robust OPS of .826 over 152 games.
While the prospect of Polanco playing at Fenway Park piqued curiosity, the eventual trade return the Twins secured from the Seattle Mariners illustrated the rationale behind the Red Sox’s decision to withdraw from negotiations months earlier. Grissom, with his higher potential and greater affordability in terms of team control, emerged as the more appealing option for Boston, despite having less experience at the major league level.
