5 under-the-radar free agents that might make sense for Red Sox

Forward of this week’s Winter Conferences, a lot of the free-agent rumors surrounding the Crimson Sox have been centered on Alex Bregman, Kyle Schwarber, and Pete Alonso. Bo Bichette’s title has additionally joined that group as Boston seeks so as to add an impactful bat this offseason.

Even when the Crimson Sox land a type of hitters this offseason, they’ll want extra assist past that as chief baseball officer Craig Breslow continues to spherical out the roster. Breslow has already gotten busy, including a pair of beginning pitchers in trades during the last couple of weeks.

However Boston nonetheless has some holes to deal with within the subject and within the bullpen. So, with that in thoughts, let’s check out 5 free brokers who haven’t been mentioned as a lot that may make sense for the Crimson Sox to pursue within the coming weeks.

1B Rhys Hoskins

If the Crimson Sox really feel assured that Triston Casas can play first base frequently once more, Hoskins may very well be an possibility to assist spell Casas and reduce his load.

The 32-year-old right-handed hitting Hoskins had one other productive season in 2025. He hit .237 with a .748 OPS and 12 residence runs with the Brewers final season, however he solely performed in 90 video games attributable to a thumb harm. He additionally had a .332 on-base proportion as he’s been one of many higher hitters within the league by way of drawing walks courting again to his time with the Phillies.

Hoskins positively isn’t the identical participant he was just some years in the past in Philadelphia after lacking the 2023 season attributable to an ACL tear. However the Crimson Sox may definitely do worse than him in the event that they’re seeking to make an addition at first base.

OF Harrison Bader

This one’s most likely depending on how the Crimson Sox handle their outfield glut and whether or not they commerce Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, or each this offseason. However even with their outfield surplus, the Crimson Sox may want so as to add a right-handed outfield bat this offseason, particularly in the event that they maintain one in every of Duran or Abreu.

Bader may very well be the man for that platoon function. He’s hit .245 with a .760 OPS and 32 homers in 748 at-bats towards lefties over his nine-year profession.

However Bader will most likely get provided the chance to be an everyday starter within the outfield by some ballclub this offseason, contemplating how properly he performed in 2025. Bader, 31, hit .277 with a .796 OPS, 17 residence runs, and 54 RBIs over 146 video games between the Twins and Phillies. His protection can also be thought-about among the many greatest for outfielders, successful a Gold Glove in 2021.

A number of retailers (The Athletic, MLB Trade Rumors, ESPN) challenge that Bader will obtain a multi-year deal as properly. Would the Crimson Sox wish to make that type of funding for an outfielder in free company? Once more, that’ll doubtless rely on what they do with Duran and Abreu, in addition to in the event that they’re capable of transfer Masataka Yoshida to open up the designated hitter spot.

If the Crimson Sox choose to pursue Bader, although, they might kind the perfect defensive outfield in baseball with him, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Abreu within the fold. After all, the Crimson Sox may additionally simply choose to deliver again Rob Refsnyder to assist fill the right-handed hitting outfielder platoon function, which might doubtless come at a less expensive funding.

INF Ha-Seong Kim

If the Crimson Sox lose Alex Bregman in free company, they could have to deal with their center infield in a roundabout way as Marcelo Mayer will doubtless turn into their prime candidate to play third base.

In that state of affairs, Kim may turn into a prime possibility for the Crimson Sox to play second base. The 30-year-old South Korean enters free company following a little bit of a down yr, hitting .234 with a .649 OPS in 2025. However Kim turned down the $16 million participant possibility he had for 2026 with the Braves, who absorbed his contract after he was waived by the Rays late within the season.

Kim was recovering from a shoulder harm, although, which prematurely ended his 2024 season with the Padres, lacking the three months of the 2025 season consequently. The truth that he turned down $16 million doubtless signifies that there’s some confidence on the open market that he can produce on the stage he did throughout his 4 seasons with the Padres.

If Kim can get again to that stage, he’d turn into one of many higher center infielders in baseball. In his final full season, Kim hit .260 with a .749 OPS, 17 residence runs, and 60 RBIs as he earned MVP votes and gained a Gold Glove at second base with the Padres in 2023.

Kim is also an attractive addition for the Crimson Sox in the event that they commerce Duran this offseason. He averaged 19.5 stolen bases per season throughout his time in San Diego, which may assist fill the necessity for velocity on the basepaths following a doable Duran commerce.

INF Willi Castro

Castro can also be one other middle-infield possibility the Crimson Sox may pursue within the occasion they lose Bregman this offseason.

The 28-year-old isn’t as dynamic as Kim, failing to place up a season as robust as Kim’s 2023 marketing campaign. He’s additionally coming off a comparatively down yr on the plate, hitting .226 with a .679 OPS, 11 residence runs, and 33 RBIs in 120 video games between the Twins and Cubs.

However Castro was an All-Star in 2024, when he hit .247 with 12 homers, and stole 33 bases in 2023. He’s additionally a switch-hitter and has performed each place however pitcher, first base, and catcher in his MLB profession. So, Castro would give the Crimson Sox some flexibility, whereas he may seemingly platoon at second base with Romy Gonzalez.

LHP Taylor Rogers

The Crimson Sox want lefty arms of their bullpen. After dealing Brennan Bernardino to the Rockies in November, Aroldis Chapman is the one MLB-proven lefty reliever on the Crimson Sox’ 40-man roster.

However there aren’t many standout lefty arms obtainable in free company. So, Breslow may need to get a bit shrewd as a way to get that lefty bullpen arm.

If the Crimson Sox wish to get the absolute best left-handed reliever, although, Rogers is among the many prime choices. The 35-year-old lefty has carried out a fairly good job at inducing strikeouts for a lot of his profession, placing out 10.9 hitters per 9 innings pitched since 2021.

Rogers has largely discovered success together with his sweeper and sinker as properly, which may very well be attractive for the Crimson Sox. His sweeper has generated a whiff price of over 30 p.c all through his profession.

Rogers went 3-2 with a 3.38 ERA in 50 2/3 innings pitched over 57 appearances between the Reds and Cubs final season.