SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - New Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is actively looking to bolster the team's offense by adding at least one right-handed hitter during the upcoming offseason. As the Red Sox evaluate potential free agent options, DH Justin Turner and outfielder Adam Duvall emerge as top candidates for Boston's lineup.

Turner, a prominent right-handed hitter, finished the 2023 season with an impressive total of 23 home runs, ranking him third on the Red Sox's leaderboard in this category. Similarly, Duvall's powerful swing contributed 21 homers, securing him a fourth-place spot in team rankings.

Breslow emphasizes that positional versatility is crucial when considering options for a right-handed hitting outfielder or DH. He believes that having a player who can contribute in multiple positions would greatly benefit the team. While maintaining an open-minded approach to team improvements, Breslow affirms the need for a right-handed hitter to balance the predominantly left-handed lineup.

Turner's potential return to the Red Sox generates mutual interest; however, several other clubs, including the Diamondbacks, are also eager to secure his services. According to reports, the Diamondbacks, who are in desperate need of a third baseman, have expressed their intention to pursue Turner. Industry experts such as Tim Dierkes and Anthony Franco predict that Turner will ultimately sign with Arizona.

In addition to Turner and Duvall, other notable right-handed hitters available on the free-agent market include Jorge Soler, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Teoscar Hernández, Rhys Hoskins, J.D. Martinez, and Matt Chapman. Chapman, renowned for his defensive skills as a Gold Glove third baseman, is the sole right-handed hitter who has received a qualifying offer. Should the Red Sox opt to sign Chapman, they would be required to forfeit their second-highest available selection in the upcoming 2024 MLB Draft and face a reduction of $500,000 in their international signing bonus pool. However, given Rafael Devers' recent 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension, Chapman may not be the ideal fit for the Red Sox at this time.

Hernández, who turned 31 in October, showcased his offensive capabilities with a. 258 batting average and an. 817 OPS against left-handed pitchers during his 2023 season with the Seattle Mariners. With the majority of his career spent as a corner outfielder, Hernández brings versatility to the table, having played 429 games in right field, 172 games in left field, and 92 games in center field.

Gurriel, fresh off a 2023 NL All-Star appearance, brings a strong resume to the table. The 30-year-old outfielder played a key role for the Diamondbacks last season, contributing 24 home runs, 35 doubles, and 82 RBIs. However, his limited outfield experience, having played exclusively in left field, poses a challenge for the Red Sox, who already have Masataka Yoshida manning left field under a five-year, $90 million contract.

One potential solution for the Red Sox could be to alternate Gurriel and Yoshida between the outfield and designated hitter position. Given Gurriel's superior defensive skills, it may be wise to give him the majority of the starts in left field, where he excelled with 14 defensive runs saved in the previous season. In contrast, Yoshida struggled defensively, accumulating a negative-4 defensive runs saved.

Rhys Hoskins, who unfortunately missed the entire 2023 season due to an ACL tear during spring training, is another intriguing right-handed option. With an impressive career OPS of. 845 and a consistent record of hitting 27 or more home runs each season, Hoskins brings power and experience to the lineup. Although he has primarily played left field, he can also contribute as a first baseman and designated hitter.

The potential reunion between the Red Sox and J.D. Martinez presents an interesting dilemma. Martinez, who had an outstanding All-Star season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, is projected to receive a two-year, $40 million contract, limiting the team's flexibility in constructing their lineups. Martinez's primary role would likely be as the designated hitter.

As the offseason progresses, the Red Sox will carefully consider their options to add a right-handed hitter to enhance their lineup. Breslow and the team's management will assess the available free agents, keeping in mind the importance of positional versatility and the need to balance the predominantly left-handed roster. Stay tuned for updates on Boston's pursuit of the ideal right-handed hitter to strengthen their offensive firepower in the upcoming season.