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Multiple teams in the AL East have at least checked in with free agent infielder Eduardo Nunez, specifically the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays, Ken Rosenthal reports.
Both #Yankees and #RedSox have shown interest in free-agent IF Eduardo Nunez, sources say. #Rays, in need of right-handed hitting, also have checked in. Rays monitoring RH bats even while continuing to listen on Odorizzi, Colome, etc. Odorizzi could go to a Darvish runner-up.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 6, 2018
Nunez, 30, played half a season with the Red Sox before suffering a knee injury early in the ALDS against the Astros. He also played his first four major league seasons with the Yankees, who could be interested in a reunion after third baseman Todd Frazier signed with the Mets on Monday.
Nunez enjoyed a productive season at the plate in 2017, finishing with an .801 OPS with the Giants and Red Sox to follow up an All-Star 2016 season. He was especially efficient after arriving in Boston, posting a 129 OPS+ through 38 games before battling injury.
While Nunez swings a steady bat, the concern lies with his defense, where he has a defensive runs saved of -44 over his eight-year career.
Both the Yankees and Red Sox could use infield depth given the youth and inexperience that would be in the Yankees’ potential Opening Day lineup, while the Red Sox could seek insurance for aging infielders like Dustin Pedroia. The Rays may covet a bat like Nunez due to their need for a right-handed bat in the lineup, according to Rosenthal.