MLB Notebook: Red Sox showing interest in Jorge Polanco; Kristian Campbell to play winter ball; Blue Jays land big addition

In an offseason that continues to unfold slowly—the Red Sox have grabbed headlines as interest kings once again.  Boston is reportedly open to adding Mariners’ free agent infielder Jorge Polanco to play second base this coming season, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Boston Globe’s Alex Speier.

Polanco, 32, is coming off one of his best seasons, where the switch-hitter posted a .265 batting average with 26 homers, 78 RBI, and a .821 OPS in 238 games last season. The veteran infielder added three homers, despite hitting just .208 as the Mariners were eliminated from the postseason by the Blue Jays in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.

If Boston were to bring Polanco to Fenway Park, he would slot in at second base, but he’s played third base in the past and is willing to play first base, reported Speier.

The Red Sox were first connected to Polanco as a potential replacement for Alex Bregman, should the All-Star third baseman bolt in free agency. The reigning American League champs, the Blue Jays, could jump into the Polanco sweepstakes if Bo Bichette left as a free agent.

Seattle is reportedly still interested in a reunion with Polanco, but he’s expected to have a strong market and is predicted to land a three-year, $42-million deal, according to MLBTradeRumors. The Mariners opened free agency a few weeks ago by re-signing first baseman Josh Naylor to a five-year, $92.5-million deal. If Boston is willing to offer Polanco a three-year deal, the contract will cover his age 32-34 seasons.

Boston’s interest doesn’t just lie with Polanco; the Sox are interested in adding a total of two big bats, as the club wants either Bregman or Mets’ slugger Pete Alonso, with Polanco being an “additional complementary position player.”

While Polanco offers the ability to play at least two different infield positions, he’s a below-average defender at this point in his career. He ranked in the 17th percentile in range (outs above average) at a -4 and in the 20th percentile in arm strength at 79.6%, per Baseball Savant.

The Sox need a solution at second base, and offensively, Polanco checks off numerous boxes. Boston still has Kristian Campbell, who is coming off a tumultuous first season. He is going to play winter ball, according to multiple reports. The 23-year-old was red hot to begin last season, opening the month of April by winning American League Rookie of the Month while hitting .301/.407/.495 line, but struggled thereafter, hitting .159/.243/.222, and was subsequently demoted to Triple-A Worcester, where he spent the remainder of the regular season.

Campbell is an option to play second base again this spring, but could be a solution in the outfield, especially if the Red Sox trade either Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu in the coming weeks.

The idea of the Red Sox adding Alonso is tantalizing due to his tremendous power, and it would give Boston a true right-handed power threat for the first time since J.D. Martinez. Alonso, 30, is expected to land a five-year deal on the open market and could exceed $150 million. He would give the Sox a legitimate power threat for the middle of their lineup and hopefully slam the door on the rotating door at first base.

The “Polar Bear” is coming off a monster year where he hit .272 with a .871 OPS, an NL-leading 41 doubles, 38 home runs, and 126 RBI. Alonso has hit at least 30 homers in every season he’s been in the majors, outside of the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

After the Red Sox acquired right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray and $20 million in cash from the Cardinals this week, FanGraphs projects Boston to be around $223 million in payroll in terms of the luxury tax, which differs from their cash payroll. That puts them roughly $20 million below the first luxury tax threshold of $244 million.

Kyle Schwarber has also been connected to the Red Sox, and power potential is precisely what the Sox need, who finished 15th in home runs (186) in 2025. They hit just 49 home runs during August and September, the third fewest behind only the Cardinals (43) and Pirates (45).

According to reports, the Phillies and Schwarber are not close to a new deal, leaving the possibility for the Red Sox to become involved. MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki reported that both sides aren’t on the verge of completing a contract, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re at a standstill in contract talks.

Given the demand for Schwarber this winter, the slugger, who is coming off a 56-home run season, can be selective in finding a new home.

Schwarber called Fenway Park home after the Sox traded for the slugger during the summer of 2021. Bloom elected not to bring the left-handed hitter back mainly due to having Martinez still under contract, and the only spot to play him was at DH, and Schwarber ultimately signed a four-year, $79-million bargain with the Phillies. Over the last four seasons in Philly, Schwarber has clubbed 187 home runs and driven in 434 RBI. He’s a monster bat that the Sox need after trading the disgruntled Rafael Devers on Father’s Day.

The only drawback to Schwarber is that he is primarily just a DH at this point in his career, but Boston could ask him to dust off his first baseman’s mitt again.

With the Red Sox trading a top pitching prospect in Brandon Clarke and Richard Fitts to the Cardinals for Gray, it’s easy to assume the club will spend beyond the first threshold of $244 million and might consider spending beyond $264 million.

Gray provides the Sox with an upgrade in the rotation, and if they opt to sign Polanco and one of Alonso or Bregman, Boston will enter spring training with a club that, at least on paper, is ready to compete for the postseason.

RED SOX ADD JOURNEYMAN INFIELDER

The Red Sox made a quiet depth move on Wednesday, signing free-agent infielder Vinny Capra to a minor-league contract, according to the MiLB transactions log. It has not yet been reported whether the deal includes an invitation to major-league spring training.

Capra, 29, is expected to open the 2025 season as organizational depth at Triple-A Worcester. He split last year between the Brewers and White Sox organizations, appearing in 47 major-league games while hitting .125/.157/.177 with one home run, two doubles, six RBI, three walks, two stolen bases, and a .334 OPS.

Known for his versatility, Capra logged time at second base, third base, shortstop, and all three outfield spots in the minors. He has spent most of his professional career on the left side of the infield, appearing in 195 minor-league games at shortstop and 152 at third base.

Capra started five of the Brewers’ first seven games last season but saw his playing time significantly reduced due to a cold snap at the plate and the promotion of Caleb Durbin, who Milwaukee acquired in the Devin Williams swap with the Yankees. He was later designated for assignment before hooking on with the White Sox organization.

A former 20th-round draft choice, Capra has seen time in the big leagues with the Blue Jays, Pirates, Brewers, and White Sox.

He joins a growing group of infielders projected to compete for regular playing time with the WooSox, including Max Ferguson, Tyler McDonough, and 2021 first-round pick Mikey Romero. With the offseason still in its early stages, Boston is expected to continue adding veteran or journeyman infield depth. Players on the 40-man roster such as Nick Sogard, David Hamilton, and Vaughn Grissom could also see time in Worcester depending on how the big-league roster shakes out.

OTHER SOX NOTES

- Boston promoted Double-A hitting coach Johnny Reina to Triple-A Worcester, where he will serve as an assistant hitting coach for the WooSox, according to SoxProspects’ Andrew Parker.

Reina joined the Sox’ organization prior to last offseason and spent all of last season working with the Portland Sea Dogs.

- The Sox also hired Elijah Boyer, who was a hitting coordinator for Driveline. He will serve as an MiLB hitting coach with the Portland Sea Dogs. 

- Red Sox left-handed pitcher Connelly Early was on the Section 10 podcast and said he added 10-12 pounds of muscle this offseason. 

- Jhostynxon Garcia received permission to play in the Venezuelan Winter League for Los Navegantes del Magallanes. He will play between December 5 and 21.

- The Royals reportedly attempted to acquire Duran, but the asking price was considered “too high,” according to MLB.com’s Anne Rogers. Kansas City is looking for an outfielder and has left-handed pitcher Kris Bubic they could dangle in trade talks. Boston could be holding out for a bigger return and trying to get the Royals to send lefty Cole Ragans in a possible blockbuster swap.

Duran, 29, is coming off last season, where he hit .256 with 16 homers and 84 RBI and led the American League in doubles with 41 and triples with 13.

CEASE HEADED NORTH

The Blue Jays are coming off a loss to the Dodgers in the World Series, but quickly got to work this offseason and will sign free agent right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million deal that will include deferrals hours before Thanksgiving.

Cease will join a loaded Blue Jays starting rotation that already boasts José Berríos, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, and Kevin Gausman. The righty, who will turn 30 next month, has been a reliable front-of-the-rotation pitcher for at least five seasons, ranking fourth in WAR, ahead of back-to-back American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, Max Fried, and free agent lefty Framber Valdez.

San Diego tendered the $22.025 million qualifying offer, which Cease declined, and it will now cost the Blue Jays compensation in the form of a draft pick.

The contract handed out to Cease is the largest free agent deal by the Blue Jays in franchise history. Toronto just gave Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a $500 million extension earlier this year. His deal will surpass the six-year, $150 million deal George Springer signed when he was a free agent.

AROUND THE LEAGUE

- The Orioles finally signed a pitcher. Baltimore agreed to a two-year, $28-million deal with free agent reliever Ryan Helsley, according to multiple reports. Helsley can opt out of his deal after next season and is expected to serve as the Orioles' closer.

It had been rumored that teams could look to convert Helsley into a starting pitcher, similar to the Mets turning Clay Holmes into a starter before last season.

Baltimore is in need of a ninth-inning option with Felix Bautista on the shelf, recovering from shoulder surgery back in August. The righty is expected to miss a massive chunk of the 2026 season.

Helsley is a proven closer, racking up 105 saves during his tenure with the Cardinals before he was traded to the Mets at the deadline. His tenure in Queens did not go as expected for the Mets, as he struggled in the bullpen, posting a 7.20 ERA in 20 innings (22 appearances).

The right brings elite velocity to the ninth inning for the Orioles and, if he can avoid the walks, will be looking to rebuild his value and cash in on a longer-term deal next winter.

- The Rockies are bringing back Warren Schaeffer as manager for the 2026 season. The club announced that Schaeffer, who served as interim manager after Bud Black’s firing back in May, will return as the skipper. Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports that Schaeffer gets a multi-year deal from the Rockies.

Colorado is coming off a historically disappointing season where they lost 119 games, prompting sweeping changes throughout the Rockies’ front office and dugout.

- The Mets and Rangers completed a one-for-one swap this weekend, sending second baseman Marcus Semien to the Mets for outfielder Brandon Nimmo.

New York gets Semien, who will now be paired with Francisco Lindor in the Mets’ infield. The move should end the revolving door at second base at Citi Field. The Mets used Jeff McNeil, Brett Baty, and Luisangel Acuña last season. It’s been heavily reported that the Mets are shopping Jeff McNeil this offseason.

Semien, 35, is a two-time Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner. He is coming off a down season where he hit .230/.305/.364  with 15 homers, 62 RBI, and 11 stolen bags in 127 games. If Alonso leaves the Mets, Semien is a right-handed bat to help offset some of the production lost.  He is due $26 million in salary this season and is signed through 2028.

Nimmo helps replace the loss of Adolis Garcia, who the Rangers non-tendered this month. He should take over in the leadoff spot for Semien but will turn 33 in March and is owed $20.5 million next season and is under contract for the next five years.

- Rays prospect Xavier Isaac underwent “life-saving” brain surgery over the summer. Isaac posted on his Instagram that he had a brain scan, which led to “the scariest moment of my life” and season-ending surgery in July. The 21-year-old first baseman is Tampa Bay’s No. 5-ranked prospect, according to MLBPipeline.

Isaac did not reveal what the surgery ultimately addressed, but he posted that he is “fully recovered.” He recently participated in a hitting camp for the Rays and is expected to be ready for spring training.