We’ve arrived at this level prior to anticipated, however right here’s your first “7 Questions” of the offseason.
1. Which postseason stars are giving the Pink Sox non-buyer’s regret?
Kyle Schwarber, Teoscar Hernandez, Kiké Hernández… think about how a lot they’d have helped the Pink Sox this 12 months.
Keep in mind when Chaim Bloom mentioned a long-term contract for Schwarber didn’t “make sense” for the Pink Sox?
That’s executive-speak for “he didn’t match our funds.” Any workforce centered on making an attempt to win a World Collection would desire a bonafide slugger with Schwarber’s October resumé. Sadly, the Pink Sox had been extra centered on rebuilding their farm system on the time.
This offseason, they might have a second probability to lock in probably the greatest massive bats within the biz.
The Pink Sox might actually use him. They’ve been a below-league common home-run workforce in three of 4 seasons since Schwarber grew to become a free agent. He, in the meantime, has averaged 48.3 homers per 162 video games for the Phillies in that span.
Schwarber additionally entered October with 21 residence runs in 69 profession postseason video games, together with three in 11 video games with the ‘21 Pink Sox. By the way in which, David Ortiz holds the franchise file with 17 HR in 76 profession postseason video games.
Teoscar Hernandez loves Fenway, however he selected to re-sign with the Dodgers, as a substitute. Because the begin of the ‘18 common season, he’s averaging 25.6 residence runs per season (32.2 HR/162 video games). He has additionally confirmed he has that October clutch gene; in 19 postseason video games because the begin of 2024, he has 20 hits, together with six residence runs
Talking of ‘21, Kiké Hernández was epic on that Pink Sox squad. The rest of his time in Boston didn’t go practically as properly, however there’s no denying his postseason chops. As of Recreation 2 of the Dodgers/Reds NL Wild Card sequence, his 36 profession postseason RBI had been tied with teammate Freddie Freeman for tenth amongst lively main leaguers. In Recreation 1 of the NLDS on Saturday, Hernández upped his RBI complete to 38. He’s solely two October homers away from tying Ortiz’s profession complete, too.
Add to the record Vladimir Guerrero Jr, who hit a grand slam off Yankees’ Will Warren in ALDS Recreation 2 whereas I used to be penning this. If he had reached free company this offseason, I’d have mentioned the Pink Sox ought to give him at the very least $600 million. The Blue Jays had been good sufficient to not let that occur.
2. What must be prime precedence for the Pink Sox this offseason?
In a phrase, or reasonably two phrases, Alex Bregman.
The Rafael Devers commerce was about a number of points, together with lineup logjams and the fractured relationship between him and the entrance workplace.
However it was additionally a alternative: Bregman over Devers.
It was a alternative from the second the Pink Sox started pursuing Bregman in free company final offseason and advised Devers it was solely media hypothesis when he requested them concerning the rumors. On multiple event, sources say.
That’s a number of drama and chaos for only one season of Bregman, one small cause amongst many who retaining him have to be on the prime of their to-do record. They want him to steer this workforce. They want his maturity, steering, talent, and absolute obsession with the sport. He’s a real baseball savant, or as supervisor Alex Cora calls him, a “baseball rat.” I misplaced depend of what number of gamers all through the season mentioned Bregman made them higher.
“He’s been an enormous a part of what I’m doing proper now. He’s in all probability 90%,” Ceddanne Rafaela advised me simply earlier than the All-Star break.
Bregman brings management, baseball genius, and the type of function modeling this very younger Pink Sox workforce wants. Even when he declines over the approaching years, his intangible worth to the workforce can be value each penny.
Roman Anthony proved to be a blinding expertise this season, however 71 profession video games within the majors should not precisely a confirmed observe file. And whereas he’s mature past his years, he lacks the lived expertise that somebody like Bregman brings to the desk. The perfect state of affairs is one by which Anthony learns tips on how to lead by Bregman’s continued instance.
3. Which free brokers ought to the Pink Sox carry again for 2026 (and probably past)?
One way or the other, the Pink Sox solely have 4 gamers eligible at no cost company this 12 months: Dustin Could, Steven Matz, Rob Refsnyder, and Justin Wilson.
Wilson was the primary signing of the offseason, and it appeared like an underwhelming opening salvo on the time. A then-37-year-old veteran reliever who had spent practically all of his 12 big-league seasons within the NL? Speak about “full throttle.”
However Wilson turned out to be largely wonderful for Boston, pitching to a 3.35 ERA over 61 regular-season appearances, together with 48 scoreless. He by no means allowed greater than two runs, and that solely occurred 5 instances.
Matz was a robust commerce deadline addition. Could was not.
Of the quartet, Rob Refsnyder appears the likeliest to return. Particularly if Bregman or Trevor Story choose out. Refsnyder is a veteran chief within the clubhouse, well-respected and reasonably priced, besides. He additionally slays southpaws.
4. Will Trevor Story choose out?
I preserve going forwards and backwards on this one.
On the one hand, Story had a wonderful 12 months. It’s arduous to think about a participant extra deserving of American League Comeback Participant of the 12 months than the veteran shortstop who lastly performed a wholesome season in Boston and put up the type of numbers for which they signed him 4 seasons in the past.
Alternatively, with solely two years left on his contract and recency bias in his favor, this may be his greatest probability at securing a deal that can take him by way of extra of, if not the remainder of his taking part in profession.
5. Did you neglect about these injured Pink Sox gamers who would possibly contribute in 2026?
Triston Casas was the second AL Rookie of the 12 months runner-up in ‘23, and Kutter Crawford was an incredible a part of the ‘24 Pink Sox.
Rookie right-hander Hunter Dobbins was a giant assist to the rotation this spring earlier than his season-ending damage.
It’s unclear if Tanner Houck will be capable of pitch in any respect in 2026, on condition that he underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in August.
Talking of TJ, the Pink Sox signed left-hander Patrick Sandoval to a kind of two-year “He would possibly miss the whole first season as he rehabs from surgical procedure, however he would possibly contribute in 12 months 2” offers final winter. He did, certainly, miss the whole first season of his contract.
6. Are you aware the distinction between ‘resign’ and ‘re-sign’?
I’m pretty sure most Pink Sox followers don’t want Bregman to resign.
You need him to re-sign. Proper?
7. Do you miss Pink Sox baseball but?
I do.
Pitchers and catchers sometimes report Wednesday of the second week in February. In 2026, that can be Feb. 11. Simply 128 days away.
