Report: Red Sox showing interest in Baez

The Boston Red Sox are exploring the idea of signing free-agent infielder Javier Baez, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman.

Baez is one of several premier shortstops available in free agency. However, the two-time All-Star can also play second base - a position he manned in August and September after joining the New York Mets following a trade deadline deal with the Chicago Cubs.

The Red Sox already have a star shortstop in Xander Bogaerts under contract, but Baez would be an upgrade over Christian Arroyo at second base. Bogaerts also reportedly plans to opt out of his deal after the 2022 campaign.

Baez, the 2018 NL MVP runner-up, hit 31 home runs with 87 RBIs and a .813 OPS across 138 games for the Mets and Cubs last season. The 28-year-old led the National League with 184 strikeouts.