The Boston Red Sox are a good baseball team … that could be a whole lot better.
That much was evident over the last three days, which saw the Red Sox take Game 1 of their American League Wild Card series vs. New York Yankees thanks to a dominant outing by ace Garrett Crochet, only to falter in Games 2 and 3 due to a combination of subpar defense, a light-hitting lineup and a lack of pitching depth.
The good news is that Boston should get a boost in 2026 from the returns of injured position players Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer and Triston Casas, as well as pitchers Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford. But if this team is serious about making a deep postseason run, then more investment is needed in a roster that simply had too many holes this season.
So, what moves should chief baseball officer Craig Breslow make this offseason to help Boston take the next step?
MLB reporter Joon Lee joined Boston Sports Tonight from Yankee Stadium after Game 3 on Thursday night to propose two roster-altering decisions for the Red Sox.
Change of scenery for Jarren Duran?
Jarren Duran is one of Boston’s longest-tenured players and can be a tone-setter on offense when he’s at his best. But he’s also prone to offensive cold streaks and defensive lapses. If the Red Sox want to add an impact starting pitcher, perhaps they’d consider trading Duran and rolling with an outfield of Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu in 2026.
“I am curious to see what the future of Jarren Duran on the Red Sox looks like, because that Game 2 mistake is unacceptable,” Lee said, referring to Duran’s costly drop of a fly ball that allowed a Yankees run to score.
“I know that he is a cult hero in Boston at this point, but there’s so many things where there are mistakes on the margins that add up and in big moments really, really expand, and I think that Duran has had so many of those opportunities this season where he has kind of dropped the ball.
“I think it would be good for a change of temperature within the club, given how much weight they’ve put on him and how much I think the team really rides his emotional ups and downs throughout the course of the year.”
Reunion with Kyle Schwarber?
All Kyle Schwarber has done since the Red Sox let him walk in 2021 free agency is mash 187 home runs (tied for the second-most in baseball behind only Aaron Judge) and drive in 434 runs (fourth-most in baseball).
And while the 32-year-old should command a relatively large contract this winter after a career year with the Phillies — 56 home runs and an MLB-leading 132 RBI — he can probably be had on a short-term deal.
“I think Kyle Schwarber is a guy that they should go out and try to get, because whether it’s at first base or at designated hitter, we’ve seen him play in Boston already,” Lee said. “We know that he steps up in those big moments and he can hit those home runs.
“He’s at a point in his career where the game has changed and his game is actually going to age pretty well, especially if he continues to only play first base and designated hit. He’s got the power-hitter swing. He’s got the bat speed, he’s not relying on his athleticism, and I think he’s relatively going to age well and not cost $50 million a year. Like, this isn’t a Juan Soto contract situation.
“So, if you can keep a lot of that offensive core that I think elevated this team this past offseason and bring in a guy like Kyle Schwarber, I think that’s what will help take the team to the next level.”
Check out the video below for more from Lee and co-hosts Mike Felger and Tom Giles on the Red Sox offseason:
