MLB Rumors: Red Sox Interested In Royals Shortstop

With the announcement yesterday of Trevor Story undergoing surgery that will cost him at least half the 2023 season, the Boston Red Sox shortstop situation is pretty dire. Word from Chad Jennings of The Athletic is that the BoSox have explored one deal that would take on plenty of risk, but also have a lot of reward if everything fell right.

Red Sox have discussed Royals SS Adalberto Mondesi, per @chadjennings22.

Tore his ACL last season and hasn’t been healthy since 2020. Hasn’t hit much, but brings speed/defense and is only 27.

Jennings notes that there’s no indication talks were anything more than exploratory. pic.twitter.com/yWUMKGwREJ

— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) January 11, 2023

Jennings says the Red Sox made an inquiry into the availability of Adalberto Mondesi, who has had a devil of a time staying healthy in his seven years in the majors, including a torn ACL last season.

According to a Major League source, the Red Sox have discussed Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi, who’s about as risk-reward as it gets. There’s absolutely no indication, however, that the conversations were any more than exploratory, and it’s unclear whether the Red Sox have genuine interest or were simply keeping tabs on every possibility.

Mondesi has played only 50 games the past two seasons due to injuries, and has only played more than 75 games in a season once. But when he has stayed on the field, he's displayed unparalleled blazing speed and exceptional defense. 

But as Jennings posits, "even if the Red Sox were to acquire him, would he be an everyday shortstop, a switch-hitting speedster off the bench, or an inevitable addition to the 60-day injured list?"

You know what they say: the biggest predictor of a player's health going forward is his health history.  

We've also put forward three remaining free agent shortstop options that Boston should be considering as well. 

Photo: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports