The Red Sox, as expected, were shut-out of all the major award winners in 2025, with Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony coming the closes to bringing home the hardware in the AL Cy Young and Rookie of the Year races, respectively. But some have garnered recognition, including Aroldis Chapman, was just named the best reliever in the AL. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
That’s not the only award Chapman picked up. He and Garrett Crochet were named to the All-MLB first team, an honor that was first introduced in 2019. (Ian Browne, MLB.com)
In light of the fact that the Sox have two elite arms leading the bullpen in Chapman and Whitlock, you might think that relievers won’t be a priority for Craig Breslow this offseason. But, according to sources, Breslow is on the hunt for another high-leverage reliever in hopes of creating a “super pen” like the Yankees and Phillies have done in recent years. (Ken Rosenthal, Will Sammon, Katie Woo, The Athletic)
Would that super pen have a place in it for Devin Williams and his famous air bender? The Sox are reportedly one of 12 teams who have expressed interest in him, despite a down season for the Yankees in 2025. This development was predicted by our own Jake Roy over a month ago. (Will Sammon, The Athletic)
But, at this point in time, Alex Bregman’s status remains the big question of the offseason. And while Breslow was uncommonly forthright in speaking about the club’s desire to add a top-of-the-rotation starter and a slugger for the middle of the order, he is keeping things close to vest regarding Bregman, saying “I’m going to stop short of talking about individual pursuits. We recognize what he has done for us. We also recognize what he could potentially do for us.” (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
Losing Alex Bregman would make an already shaky infield defense even more precarious. And that has implications for the free agent market, too, as one reported target, Pete Alonso, is a corner infielder known for sub-par defense. But in addition to defending Alonso’s glove, his agent, Scott Boras, says Alonso is willing to spend some time at DH next season. (Chris Cotill, MassLive)
