Could Red Sox make a run at George Springer in free agency?

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There hasn't been much to get excited about the Boston Red Sox this season. They own the third-worst record in baseball and were sellers at Major League Baseball's trade deadline.

Might 2021 be a different story?

The Red Sox plan to re-sign Jackie Bradley Jr. to a new contract in free agency, The Athletic's Peter Gammons reported Wednesday. But if Bradley signs elsewhere, Chaim Bloom and Co. could turn to a more high-profile outfield target: Houston Astros star George Springer.

Early returns on Bloom's moves provide hope for Sox' future

"If Bradley leaves, there is the possibility that Boston could make a run at George Springer, who was the draft prospect of choice in 2012 and grew up a Red Sox fan in Bristol, Conn.," Gammons wrote.

It's possible Springer doesn't even reach the open market: Reports in May suggested the Astros intended to offer a contract extension to their homegrown star.

Springer hasn't been offered that contract extension yet, though, and the Red Sox will have the money to pay the 31-year-old -- who's making $21 million with Houston this season -- after trading superstar Mookie Betts in February.

The seven-year veteran is having a relative down year -- .251 with 13 home runs and 28 RBIs through 47 games -- but was an All-Star the previous three seasons and would give the Red Sox a talent infusion after a forgettable 2020 campaign.

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