ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Red Sox are close to bringing back a fan favorite, infielder Eduardo Nunez. Completion of a deal will mark a rare sighting this winter: a free-agent acquisition.
Multiple sources on Thursday night said it was premature to say Nunez had been re-signed. A physical, which will probably receive greater scrutiny than most because Nunez is coming off a right knee injury, is needed. One source confirmed the deal, if completed, would be for one year and an option.
Ian Browne of RedSox.com first reported a deal was nearing. Robert Murray of FanRag Sports reported the contract would be for one year plus an option.
Nunez was picked up from the Giants in a July trade, had a fantastic offensive performance in 38 regular-season games for the Sox. But an injury to his posterior cruciate ligament, his PCL, limited him as the season wore down. He did not go for surgery on the knee, choosing instead to rehab, but the visual was bad when he was last on the field when the knee buckled. He had to be carried off the field in the playoffs.
He will be entering his age-31 season in 2018, hit eight home runs with a .321/.353/.539 line. That’s double the number of home runs he hit with the Giants in exactly half the number of games.
Nunez should fit into the second-base mix, and could help out at other positions as well, even DH.
The Red Sox are expected to be without Dustin Pedroia for some time to start the season because of a knee operation. The Sox don’t have a sure thing in his absence. Brock Holt is on hand after a down 2017 because of his health, with coming Marco Hernandez coming off surgery.
