SAN DIEGO -- In need of offensive help, the Red Sox have, according to a source familiar with the talks, made inquires about first baseman/outfielder Garrett Cooper
The Sox have an opening in the outfield, with Alex Verdugo and Kiké Hernandez set to cover two of the three outfield spots. Presumably, they'll have Verdugo in left and Hernandez in center, leaving a vacancy in right. The team also has no set DH on the current roster, with J.D. Martinez on the free agent market.
Cooper, 32, split time between first base and DH last year, but in the past, has played both left and right field. Last season, Cooper slashed .261/.337/.415, but didn't provide a lot of power, with just nine homers in 119 games. Cooper could offer some righthanded protection at first behind Triston Casas, as well as get at-bats in the outfield ad DH.
Over the last four years, Cooper has been a solid -- if unspectacular -- offensive performer, with an OPS of .752 or greater. But he's also not been very durable. In parts of six big league seasons, he's managed to play 100 games just twice.
Additionally, the Sox have talked about free agent third baseman/outfielder Brian Anderson, Cooper's former teammate, who was non-tendered by the Marlins last month.
Anderson, 29, is a versatile player, who has played both third and the outfield. In 2022, he slashed .222/.311/.346 with eight homers and 28 RBI in 98 games.
Cooper has one year of control remaining. Anderson, by virtue of being non-tendered, is a free agent.
It's unknown if talks between the clubs have advanced much, but it's possible that the Marlins could be a good fit for Eric Hosmer, who would seem redundant behind Casas. Both Hosmer and Casas are lefthanded hitters, which detracts from Hosmer's value and limits his playing opportunities.
Hosmer currently has no-trade protection, the result of a clause that was activated when the Red Sox acquired him from San Diego at the deadline last summer. Presumably, Casas could welcome the opportunity to play in Miami, not far from where he grew up in south Florida.
One other name on the Red Sox radar is Toronto outfielder Bradley Zimmer, a former first-round selection of the Cleveland Indians who has yet to harness his ability over parts of six seasons. Zimmer split time last year between Toronto and Philadelphia and as a good defender and a lefty bat, profiles as someone who could fit into a right-field platoon with the righthanded-hitting Rob Refsnyder.
He was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays last month.
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According to an industry source, the Red Sox have been letting other teams know that first baseman Bobby Dalbec is available.
This is hardly a surprise. With the emergence of Triston Casas and the presence -- for now -- of veteran first baseman Eric Hosmer, Dalbec has fallen further down the team's depth chart.
Dalbec has plus-power, but consistent contact remains a big issue. Additionally, Dalbec's struggles at the plate seemed to have negatively impacted his play in the field.
In parts of three seasons, Dalbec has hit 45 homers, including a 25-homer season in 2021. But he failed to claim the first base job for his own at the start of this past season and lost the job to, at varying times, Franchy Cordero and later, Casas.
The Tampa Bay Rays are one team that has shown some interest in Dalbec.
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Having added to their bullpen with the free agent signings of lefty Joely Rodriguez and righty Chris Martin, Chaim Bloom said the Red Sox were still motivated to acquire more bullpen help.
Less certain is whether the team will specifically target a closer. On the free agent market, both Craig Kimbrel and Kenley Jansen remain available.
"When possible, you'd always rather have that experience,'' said Bloom. "I think that's always a plus. That said, it doesn't mean you have to have it in order to do that job. As we've looked at reliever candidates, we've looked at guys who we think have the talent and mindset to do it. It would be great to have someone with that experience. But even if not, the important thing for us is it's something they're capable of doing because it's something we need to do well.''
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Bloom said he envisioned the Red Sox adding "seven, eight, nine'' players to the Red Sox roster before the offseason is compete, either by trade or free agency.
The team is looking to fill holes in the outfield, at DH, behind the plate and the starting rotation as well as the bullpen.
The Sox have brought back James Paxton for the rotation, but want more rotation pieces - at least one.
"Who that is, what that ultimately looks like, some of that will be dictated by what opportunities are there,” Bloom said. “But we’re definitely looking to add. We do have guys who are ready to step in and give us innings at the back of the rotation. What we’re looking for is upside and also consistency and leadership that we can provide for the group.”
Bloom went on to say that he defined "upside'' as someone the Sox would feel comfortable starting a playoff ga
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General manager Brian O'Halloran went out of his way to salute former Red Sox starter (and Cy Young Award winner) Rick Porcello, who officially announced his retirement over the weekend in an interview with WEEI. "Rick was one of the best competitors and best leaders we've had in this clubhouse during this current ownership,'' said O'Halloran. "I just want to congratulate Rick on an incredible career and wish him all the best.''...Manager Alex Cora said the team has not yet firmed the coaching staff. The team has a vacancy at first base after former first base coach Ramon Vazquez was elevated to bench coach after Will Venable left to become associate manager of the Texas Rangers. Cora said there may be somebody internally to fill that spot. Field coordinator Andy Fox is thought to be one candidate.