MLB Rumors: Whit Merrifield Coveted By AL East Team

Whit Merrifield did a nice job with the Toronto Blue Jays the past couple of years, both at the plate and in the field as both a second baseman and outfielder. Now, as a free agent, he's being courted by another AL East team, the Boston Red Sox.

From @jcmccaffrey and @chadjennings22 on the Red Sox search for 2B help:

“According to two people with knowledge of the situation, the Red Sox have considered Whit Merrifield and touched base with his representatives, but talks have been largely preliminary with no current… pic.twitter.com/pEzmvQwpc8

— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) December 7, 2023

“According to two people with knowledge of the situation, the Red Sox have considered Whit Merrifield and touched base with his representatives," says the report by Chad Jennings and Jen McCaffrey in The Athletic. 

Talks haven't progressed too far yet, but Merrifield seems to bring a lot of the qualities that the Red Sox have professed they're looking for this offseason:

• Improving the infield defense: Merrifield was worth 4 Outs Above Average at 2B in 2023
• Speed: He posted his 5th 20+ stolen base season, with 26
• Defensive versatility in the outfield: He can play both corners

“I think we have a little bit better clarity in terms of who may be the right fits for us (and) what the timelines may look like,” said Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow. “And I think the only thing that we can do is remain engaged, remain active, understand kind of where the markets are going to let our interest be known.”

The Chicago White Sox have been previously linked to Merrifield as well. 

 Photo: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports