Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox need to add another established starter and a power bat in the middle of their lineup.
The 2025 Red Sox punched their ticket to the playoffs for the first time in four years.
But even with this squad playing into October — and showcasing plenty of promise with an influx of young talent — Craig Breslow and Boston’s front office still have plenty of work to do this winter to address some evident flaws and position this team as a true contender.
Here’s a quick look at some of Boston’s top priorities this offseason:
Add a power bat (or two)
The Red Sox ranked seventh in the majors this season in runs scored.
But even with that encouraging ranking, it was evident that Boston’s offense approach had some severe shortcomings — plenty of which reared their collective head in October.
The return of Roman Anthony at the top of the lineup next spring will undoubtedly help a batting order that hit just .198 with six runs scored and a whopping 30 strikeouts over their three-game series against New York.
But in a postseason climate where a single blast could be the difference maker in a tight series, Boston severely lacked a proven bat with some pop in the heart of their order.
Even with Boston plating plenty of runs at times this summer, the Red Sox slugged just 186 home runs this season — ranking 15th in baseball in that category.
With the added fiscal flexibility from moving on from Rafael Devers (who ended up hitting 35 home runs and posting 109 RBI this year), Boston needs to re-invest some of that money into a power bat capable of slugging at least 30 home runs into the Monster seats.
Rather than bank on an uncertain asset like Triston Casas, the Red Sox could secure some assured production by signing first baseman Pete Alonso — a righty slugger who has averaged 42 home runs and 114 RBI over 162-game average in his career.
The DH spot could also be an area in need of an overhaul.
Masataka Yoshida is a professional hitter, but Boston needs a bit more pop out of that spot in the lineup. The Red Sox might need to eat a lot of cash to move Yoshida’s contract, but it could free up the spot for Boston to add more offensive upside to the lineup — be it an internal candidate or another target on the open market.
Kyle Schwarber — who has casually swatted 187 home runs across four seasons with Philly since Boston failed to retain him as a free agent — would also be an appealing option, although it remains to be seen if the slugger wants to leave an already established contender like the Phillies.
Other potential bats available in free agency include Eugenio Suárez, Marcell Ozuna, and Josh Naylor.
Bring in a No. 2 starter
The Red Sox have found their ace in Garrett Crochet.
They have some promising young talent due for potentially larger roles in Connelly Early and Payton Tolle. Even a starter like Brayan Bello (11-9, 3.35 ERA) took some sizable steps forward and realized his potential as a reliable option in the middle of a rotation moving forward.
But as evidenced by the quick hook that Alex Cora had for Bello in Game 2, it’s clear that the Red Sox — when they’re operating at their best — likely prefer a starter without a lot of swing-and-miss stuff in Bello as more of a strong No. 3 option than the next man up after Crochet.
After being embroiled in deep trade discussions with the Twins at the trade deadline, it wouldn’t come as much of a surprise if the Red Sox make another call to Minnesota to inquire about righty Joe Ryan.
Ryan would be the sought-after 1-2 punch that Boston desires atop their rotation with Crochet., The 29-year-old righty went 13-10 this year with a 3.42 ERA and 194 strikeouts over 171 innings of work. He also has two more years of arbitration before hitting free agency in 2028.
If the price is too high to pluck Ryan out of Minnesota, Boston could also turn to free agency in hopes of adding another new starter.
Potential targets include Dylan Cease and Zac Gallen — two starters with established credentials, albeit underwhelming returns in 2026 with the Padres and Diamondbacks, respectively.
Solve the logjam in the outfield
Something’s got to give for the Red Sox when it comes to a crowded outfield.
With Anthony a lock to earn regular reps next season, Boston has one too many regulars in their outfield when you also factor in Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu.
Boston also has to determine what to do with a prospect like Kristian Campbell, who could settle into a corner outfield spot as Boston tries to find the best avenue toward getting him in the lineup.
The writing is on the wall that at least one of Duran, Rafaela, or Abreu could be shipped out this winter — which could give Boston an appealing trade target if they’re looking to address another area of the roster like pitching.
All three of Duran, Rafaela, and Abreu had disappointing postseasons against the Yankees, although Rafaela’s and Abreu’s defensive upside could give them the leg up over a player like Duran — who regressed from his 8.7 WAR season in 2024 and also turned 29 years old in September.
As promising as this outfield grouping could be next season, Boston needs to take a long look at their personnel this summer — as Rafaela’s hot-and-cold production and Abreu’s evident struggles against lefties (.205 career batting average) could have Boston assessing how best to maximize the ceiling of this segment of the roster.
It won’t be a surprise if at least one outfielder is dealt this offseason. But could there be even more overhaul on the horizon, especially if it opens up another starting spot for either a younger player or a free-agent pickup?
Figure out what to do with Bregman, Story
Despite the evident need for Boston to bring in talent this winter, Breslow and Co. also need to retain some key cogs in the lineup.
Both Alex Bregman and Trevor Story have opt-out clauses in their respective contracts that would allow them to hit free agency this winter.
Story — who has two years and $55 million remaining on his initial six-year deal — feels like a safer option to return. If he decides not to opt out, the Red Sox also extend his contract by another year for an extra $25 million in 2028.
It’s been an up-and-down tenure for Story in Boston due to injuries, but the 2025 campaign was a major step forward for the veteran, as he hit .263 with 25 home runs and 96 RBI. He was also one of the few hitters who stepped up in the postseason, batting .385 with a home run and three of Boston’s six total runs plated over three games.
Bregman — who is represented by MLB super-agent Scott Boras — stands as more of a flight risk.
Initially signed to a three-year, $120 million contract with Boston in February, Bregman might be in search of a long-term deal if he hits free agency.
The Red Sox would ideally want Bregman in the heart of their lineup for the next few seasons — especially given both the pop he presents from the right side of the plate and the veteran leadership he brings to a young roster.
But the Red Sox will have to weigh whether or not it’s worth shelling out another long-term, expensive contract for a player in Bregman who is set to turn 32 years old before the 2026 season begins.
Despite looking like a legitimate MVP candidate over the first two months of the 2025 season, Bregman’s play also dipped down the stretch after returning from a quad strain — hitting just .187 over his last 27 games of the regular season.
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