Boston Red Sox

Andrew Benintendi, who's been heavily involved in trade rumors over the last few weeks, would "shock" a rival executive if he was not traded before the end of the weekend, per Mark Feinsand. (Source: https://twitter.com/Feinsand/status/1349164460829716481)

Fantasy Impact: Multiples teams, including the A's, Astros, Rangers, and Marlins have been linked to Benintendi over the last few weeks. His market is really heating up and this latest rumor make it sound as if a deal is imminent before the end of the week. Boston is just looking for the best return at this point. Despite his recent struggles, he's still just 26-years-old and is under team-control through the 2022 season. Stay tuned.

Chris Sale's agent, B.B. Abbott, says that his client could be throwing off a mound in January. (Source: Alex Speier on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Sale underwent Tommy John surgery in March and is currently long-tossing. His rehab has gone smoothly, but he isn't expected to be ready for the start of the season. We should have a better idea on his timeline once spring training begins.

Red Sox GM Bryan O'Halloran says LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (myocarditis) will have no restrictions entering spring training. (Source: Alex Speier on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: "It’s a normal offseason. ... He’s a regular player," O'Halloran said. Rodriguez didn't pitch at all this past season following a heart condition caused by COVID-19. This is fantastic news to hear that he should be okay entering 2021. E-Rod posted a 3.81 ERA with 213 strikeouts in 203 1/3 innings back in 2019.

Yairo Munoz agreed to a one-year deal with the Red Sox on Wednesday and was able to avoid arbitration. (Source: Chris Cotillo on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Munoz appeared in just 12 games for the Red Sox in 2020, slashing .333/.333/.511 with one home run and four RBI. The position-versatile 25-year old will compete for a roster spot this spring.

Kevin Plawecki avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.6 million deal with the Red Sox, according to Bob Nightengale. (Source: Bobby Nightengale on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Plawecki was excellent for the Red Sox in 2020, primarily serving as Christian Vazquez's backup. He contributed a .341/.393/.463 batting line to go along with one home run and 17 RBI across 82 at-bats.

Ryan Brasier and the Red Sox have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.25 million deal, per Pete Abraham. (Source: Pete Abraham on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Brasier has been a reliable reliever for the Red Sox over the last three seasons and registered a 3.96 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and a 30:11 K/BB ratio across 25 innings in 2020. He'll likely serve as a setup man for Boston in 2021.

The Red Sox avoided arbitration with Matt Barnes by agreeing with their closer on a one-year, $4.4 million contract. (Source: Bob Nightengale on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Barnes earned nine saves during the 2020 season, posting a 4.30 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. He'll likely once again serve in a late-inning role for Boston in 2021.

Alex Cora was hired back as the Red Sox manager Friday.

Fantasy Impact: The two finalists for the Red Sox job were Sam Fuld and Alex Cora. Cora will get his old job back over Fuld and manage the Red Sox in 2020. He managed Boston to a World Series title in 2018. Cora was suspended and fired from the Red Sox in 2020 for his role in the Astros’ sign-cheating scandal. The 45-year-old manager is back and will look to manage Boston back to it’s winning ways after a lost 2020 campaign.

The Mets signed INF Jose Peraza to a minor-league contract. (Source: Mark Feinsand on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The deal includes an invitation to spring training. Peraza was the Red Sox' Opening Day second baseman in 2020 but quickly faded after a hot start. He could wind up in a bench role for the Mets next year.

J.D. Martinez won’t opt out of his contract and will remain with the Red Sox. He is owed $38.75 million over the next two seasons. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: As expected, Martinez will not opt out of his contract and will remain in Boston for the next two seasons. He struggled in 2020, slashing .213/.291/.389 with seven home runs, 27 RBI and 22 runs scored and one stolen base over 237 plate appearances. Martinez is expected to be the Red Sox everyday DH in 2021.

The Red Sox sent INF Tzu-Wei Lin outright to Triple-A. (Source: Christopher Smith on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Lin was just 8-for-52 with Boston this year. He's off the 40-man roster but will stick around as depth moving forward.

Xander Bogaerts went 2-for-3 at the plate with a solo home run in Sunday's 9-1 win over the Braves.

Fantasy Impact: Bogaerts finishes 2020 with a .300 average, 11 home runs, 28 RBI, 36 runs and eight stolen bases. The 27-year-old shortstop remains a top fantasy option at his position and should go high in 2021 fantasy drafts.

Manager Ron Roenicke said Alex Verdugo isn't expected to play in Sunday's season finale in Atlanta, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports. (Source: Bill Koch on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Verdugo has been dealing with a hamstring issue and there is no need to have him risk further injury. The 24-year-old outfielder will finish 2020 with a .308 batting average, six homers, 16 doubles, 36 runs, 15 RBI, and four stolen bases in 53 games.

Michael Chavis went 1-for-4 at the plate and scored a run on Saturday as the Red Sox defeated the Braves by an 8-2 score.

Fantasy Impact: Chavis has been disappointing for fantasy owners in his second season. The 25-year-old infielder is hitting just .213 with five home runs, 18 RBI, and 15 runs scored over 153 plate appearances.

Bobby Dalbec went 1-for-4 at the plate with a two-run homer in Saturday's 8-2 win over Atlanta.

Fantasy Impact: Dalbec has certainly shown some power in his major league debut this season. The rookie infielder is hitting .273 with a .356 on-base percentage, eight homers, 16 RBI, and 12 runs scored over 87 plate appearances.

Christian Vazquez went 3-for-5 at the plate and hit a grand slam on Saturday in the Red Sox 8-2 win over Atlanta.

Fantasy Impact: Vazquez is hitting .283/.344/.457 with 22 runs scored, seven home runs, 23 RBI, and four stolen bases across 189 plate appearances on the season. The veteran catcher remains a must-own in all 12 team fantasy leagues and deeper.

Tanner Houck allowed a run on three hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts over six innings in Saturday's win over Atlanta.

Fantasy Impact: Houck has been awesome since being called up from the minors and is 3-0 with a 0.53 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 21/9 K/BB ratio across 17 innings (three starts). The rookie looks like he has earned a spot in the rotation for 2021 and fantasy owners should keep an eye on him.

Rafael Devers went 1-for-3 at the plate and scored a run while driving in two on Friday as the Red Sox lost 8-7 to the Braves in extra innings.

Fantasy Impact: Devers originally had the night off on Friday but came into play and ended up with three at-bats as the game went into extra innings. The 23-year-old third baseman is hitting .271 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI on the season.

Jackie Bradley went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, three runs scored, and a walk in Friday's 8-7 extra-innings loss to Atlanta.

Fantasy Impact: Bradley has been hot at the plate in September. For the month the veteran outfielder is hitting .321 with a .409 on-base percentage, four homers, 19 runs scored, and five stolen bases. Bradley should be started in fantasy and DFS while he is hot.

Chris Mazza allowed a run on four hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings in a no-decision versus the Braves on Friday.

Fantasy Impact: This matched the longest outing of the season for Mazza. The 30-year-old pitcher finishes 2020 with a 1-2 record, a 4.80 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 29 strikeouts, and a 1-2 record in 30 innings across nine outings (six starts).