When it comes to upgrading the pitching staff, Craig Breslow’s path is pretty straightforward. Just get as many good arms as possible and worry about the rest later.
But when it comes to sorting out the Red Sox’s starting lineup, it’s not quite that simple.
Everyone can agree the Red Sox need to upgrade their offense, but with Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso no longer available there aren’t many obvious options who could immediately plug in and provide the power production Boston needs.
The other problem is the Red Sox already have more position players than they have space for, so the issue isn’t so much bringing in new bats as it is bringing in better bats and somehow making all the pieces fit.
The simplest place the Red Sox can upgrade is the corner infield spots. Alex Bregman remains one of the best free agents available and is believed to be a top priority for the Red Sox. But if he doesn’t return the club would likely have to seek a replacement, either in the form of a free agent like Eugenio Suarez or Kazuma Okamoto, or through a trade.
Even bringing Bregman back would only ensure the Red Sox offense remains on par with last year’s group. To actually upgrade the lineup Breslow would need to make another addition. Adding another corner infielder or perhaps a second baseman would be the cleanest way to do that, but at some point Breslow will likely have to make a tough choice and subtract an incumbent bat too.
As it stands the Red Sox already have more outfielders than they have spots for, so if everyone stays healthy someone would either need to sit or Ceddanne Rafaela would have to play second base, which would be self-defeating considering he’s arguably the best defensive center fielder in the sport.
The Red Sox largely managed the situation last year, especially down the stretch when both Roman Anthony and Wilyer Abreu went down, turning the outfield surplus into a deficit. Breslow has also indicated publicly he’s comfortable keeping all of the outfielders, and according to a report Monday from Tim Healey of The Boston Globe, he’s said the same to agents and rival executives behind the scenes.
But purely from a roster construction standpoint the situation likely isn’t sustainable.
Moving an outfielder would clear the club’s logjam and allow the Red Sox to make an upgrade at another area of need, either for the replacement bat or for a starting pitcher. The most logical move would be to deal either Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu, both of whom are coveted talents that remain under team control for three or more years.
Such a deal would allow Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela and the remaining player to hold down the outfield and Masataka Yoshida to serve as the everyday designated hitter.
There have been reports throughout the offseason that the Red Sox have fielded calls on Duran and Abreu, and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Monday that the Kansas City Royals are still interested in Duran but that right now believe Boston’s asking price is too high.
Rosenthal reports Boston is seeking left-hander Cole Ragans in exchange for Duran. That would be a massive coup for the pitching staff and clear the logjam, but Breslow would still need to make another move to add the bat.
There are other factors for Breslow to consider.
Unloading Masataka Yoshida would be the easiest way to unclog the lineup, as freeing up the DH spot would make it possible to keep all of the other outfielders on the field any given day. It would also free up the DH spot for Triston Casas following his return if he needs time off his feet or allow him to split time with a possible first base addition.
The trouble is Yoshida won’t command nearly the return Duran or Abreu could given his contract and injury-limited production over the past two years. By the end of last season he was also Boston’s best hitter, and with a full healthy offseason it’s possible he could bounce back and be the impact player the Red Sox envisioned when he signed three years ago.
Adding another full-time first baseman might also preclude the possibility that a healthy Casas could prove to be the impact slugger the Red Sox need, and adding multiple infielders might do the same with Marcelo Mayer.
If all of this has you a little discombobulated, I don’t blame you.
One way or another, Breslow has to sort all of this out over the next few months. The Red Sox could probably stand pat and go into 2026 with a serviceable batting order, but for the club to realize its championship ambitions Breslow needs to ensure the club opens the season with not only an improved lineup, but a functional one.
Extra innings
According to Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe, the Red Sox are among a handful of teams involved with free agent right-hander Michael King. The 30-year-old right-hander, a local standout who played at Bishop Hendricken High School in Rhode Island and Boston College, is one of the top starting pitchers on the market and would presumably slot into the front of Boston’s rotation alongside Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray and Brayan Bello. … Per multiple reports, former Red Sox right-hander Dustin May has agreed to a one-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. May was acquired at the trade deadline this past summer and posted a 5.40 ERA in six appearances (five starts) with the Red Sox. … Former Red Sox right-hander Isaiah Campbell has signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a minor league deal, according to MLB’s transaction log. Campbell’s time in Boston was unsuccessful, as the 28-year-old allowed 18 earned runs in 14.1 innings over 14 MLB appearances spread across two seasons.
