If the Sox want him enough to pay him what he’s worth…
Though he’s struggled to stay on the field at times this year, Tyler O’Neill has been one of the most productive hitters in the American League, with 31 homers and a 138 OPS+. He timed that performance pretty well, considering that he’s a free agent at the end of the season. Is he going to call Fenway home again next year? The Red Sox have something of a roster crunch in the outfield, with Roman Anthony close to joining Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, and theoretical outfielder Masataka Yoshida. But O’Neill likes it here and would be happy to return. (Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)
But before he wins a big free agent contract, there’s something else O’Neill could conceivably take home: the American League Comeback Player of the Year award. (Jim Bowden, The Athletic)
Chris Martin is also a pending free agent. But if he returns to the Red Sox, it’ll likely only be on a one-year deal, as the setup man sounds like he’s ready to retire. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
Regardless of what happens to Martin, Craig Breslow will have to do a lot of work to rebuild the bullpen this offseason. But one thing about the pen seems clear: Justin Slaten will be locked into an important late-inning role. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
It’ll be even harder to rebuild the pen if pending free agent Kenley Jansen leaves. Most people assume that he’s going to, as there’s a sense among the fans that he’s not happy in Boston. But if that were the case, I’m not sure he’d be pitching through an injury for an out-of-contention team, as he did last night. (Greg Dudek, NESN)
Though maybe Kenley just wants to finish the year on a high-note, like Tanner Houck is trying to do. (Tim Crowley, NESN)
Trevor Story is trying to finish the season on a high-note, too. He’s playing well as of late but, according to Triston Casas, the best thing about Story’s return is seeing him naked in the shower. (Rob Bradford, WEEI)