Boston Red Sox
The Crimson Sox want so as to add one other established starter and an influence bat in the midst of their lineup.
The 2025 Crimson Sox punched their ticket to the playoffs for the primary time in 4 years.
However even with this squad enjoying into October — and showcasing loads of promise with an inflow of younger expertise — Craig Breslow and Boston’s entrance workplace nonetheless have loads of work to do that winter to handle some evident flaws and place this workforce as a real contender.
Right here’s a fast take a look at a few of Boston’s prime priorities this offseason:
Add an influence bat (or two)
The Crimson Sox ranked seventh within the majors this season in runs scored.
However even with that encouraging rating, it was evident that Boston’s offense strategy had some extreme shortcomings — loads of which reared their collective head in October.
The return of Roman Anthony on the prime of the lineup subsequent spring will undoubtedly assist a batting order that hit simply .198 with six runs scored and a whopping 30 strikeouts over their three-game sequence towards New York.
However in a postseason local weather the place a single blast might be the distinction maker in a good sequence, Boston severely lacked a confirmed bat with some pop within the coronary heart of their order.
Even with Boston plating loads of runs at instances this summer time, the Crimson Sox slugged simply 186 house runs this season — rating fifteenth in baseball in that class.
With the added fiscal flexibility from transferring on from Rafael Devers (who ended up hitting 35 house runs and posting 109 RBI this yr), Boston must re-invest a few of that cash into an influence bat able to slugging at the least 30 house runs into the Monster seats.
Fairly than financial institution on an unsure asset like Triston Casas, the Crimson Sox may safe some assured manufacturing by signing first baseman Pete Alonso — a righty slugger who has averaged 42 house runs and 114 RBI over 162-game common in his profession.
The DH spot is also an space in want of an overhaul.
Masataka Yoshida is an expert hitter, however Boston wants a bit extra come out of that spot within the lineup. The Crimson Sox may have to eat a variety of money to maneuver Yoshida’s contract, but it surely may unlock the spot for Boston so as to add extra offensive upside to the lineup — be it an inside candidate or one other goal on the open market.
Kyle Schwarber — who has casually swatted 187 house runs throughout 4 seasons with Philly since Boston didn’t retain him as a free agent — would even be an interesting possibility, though it stays to be seen if the slugger desires to go away an already established contender just like the Phillies.
Different potential bats accessible in free company embrace Eugenio Suárez, Marcell Ozuna, and Josh Naylor.
Herald a No. 2 starter
The Crimson Sox have discovered their ace in Garrett Crochet.
They’ve some promising younger expertise due for probably bigger roles in Connelly Early and Payton Tolle. Even a starter like Brayan Bello (11-9, 3.35 ERA) took some sizable steps ahead and realized his potential as a dependable possibility in the midst of a rotation transferring ahead.
However as evidenced by the short hook that Alex Cora had for Bello in Recreation 2, it’s clear that the Crimson Sox — once they’re working at their finest — possible want a starter with out a variety of swing-and-miss stuff in Bello as extra of a powerful No. 3 possibility than the subsequent man up after Crochet.
After being embroiled in deep trade discussions with the Twins on the commerce deadline, it wouldn’t come as a lot of a shock if the Crimson Sox make one other name to Minnesota to inquire about righty Joe Ryan.
Ryan could be the sought-after 1-2 punch that Boston wishes atop their rotation with Crochet., The 29-year-old righty went 13-10 this yr with a 3.42 ERA and 194 strikeouts over 171 innings of labor. He additionally has two extra years of arbitration earlier than hitting free company in 2028.
If the worth is simply too excessive to pluck Ryan out of Minnesota, Boston may additionally flip to free company in hopes of including one other new starter.
Potential targets embrace Dylan Stop and Zac Gallen — two starters with established credentials, albeit underwhelming returns in 2026 with the Padres and Diamondbacks, respectively.
Remedy the logjam within the outfield
One thing’s bought to present for the Crimson Sox in terms of a crowded outfield.
With Anthony a lock to earn common reps subsequent season, Boston has one too many regulars of their outfield while you additionally consider Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu.
Boston additionally has to find out what to do with a prospect like Kristian Campbell, who may settle right into a nook outfield spot as Boston tries to search out the most effective avenue towards getting him within the lineup.
The writing is on the wall that at the least certainly one of Duran, Rafaela, or Abreu might be shipped out this winter — which may give Boston an interesting commerce goal in the event that they’re seeking to handle one other space of the roster like pitching.
All three of Duran, Rafaela, and Abreu had disappointing postseasons towards the Yankees, though Rafaela’s and Abreu’s defensive upside may give them the leg up over a participant like Duran — who regressed from his 8.7 WAR season in 2024 and likewise turned 29 years outdated in September.
As promising as this outfield grouping might be subsequent season, Boston must take a protracted take a look at their personnel this summer time — as Rafaela’s hot-and-cold manufacturing and Abreu’s evident struggles towards lefties (.205 profession batting common) may have Boston assessing how finest to maximise the ceiling of this phase of the roster.
It received’t be a shock if at the least one outfielder is dealt this offseason. However may there be much more overhaul on the horizon, particularly if it opens up one other beginning spot for both a youthful participant or a free-agent pickup?
Determine what to do with Bregman, Story
Regardless of the evident want for Boston to usher in expertise this winter, Breslow and Co. additionally have to retain some key cogs within the lineup.
Each Alex Bregman and Trevor Story have opt-out clauses of their respective contracts that might permit them to hit free company this winter.
Story — who has two years and $55 million remaining on his preliminary six-year deal — seems like a safer choice to return. If he decides to not choose out, the Crimson Sox additionally lengthen his contract by one other yr for an additional $25 million in 2028.
It’s been an up-and-down tenure for Story in Boston on account of accidents, however the 2025 marketing campaign was a serious step ahead for the veteran, as he hit .263 with 25 house runs and 96 RBI. He was additionally one of many few hitters who stepped up within the postseason, batting .385 with a house run and three of Boston’s six whole runs plated over three video games.
Bregman — who’s represented by MLB super-agent Scott Boras — stands as extra of a flight threat.
Initially signed to a three-year, $120 million contract with Boston in February, Bregman could be in quest of a long-term deal if he hits free company.
The Crimson Sox would ideally need Bregman within the coronary heart of their lineup for the subsequent few seasons — particularly given each the pop he presents from the suitable aspect of the plate and the veteran management he brings to a younger roster.
However the Crimson Sox should weigh whether or not or not it’s value shelling out one other long-term, costly contract for a participant in Bregman who is ready to show 32 years outdated earlier than the 2026 season begins.
Regardless of trying like a legit MVP candidate over the primary two months of the 2025 season, Bregman’s play additionally dipped down the stretch after getting back from a quad pressure — hitting simply .187 over his final 27 video games of the common season.
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