The Boston Red Sox are poised for contention in 2025 and beyond, thanks to a young core led by Roman Anthony and Garrett Crochet. After a Wild Card Series loss to the Yankees, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow emphasized avoiding complacency while targeting starting pitchers, power hitters, and a third baseman.
All indications point to 2025 as the start of an extended contention window for the Red Sox, building around an impressive young core headlined by outfielder Roman Anthony and AL Cy Young runner-up Garrett Crochet. The team suffered a disappointing Wild Card Series loss to the rival New York Yankees but remains optimistic about future postseason appearances, with more talent incoming and financial flexibility to spend.
"The most significant (lesson) is to remind ourselves there is no guarantee we pick up where we left off at the end of 2025," chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said last month. "Expecting everyone to take a step forward could cause us to be complacent and fall flat."
The Red Sox ended 2025 with a $246.1 million payroll for competitive balance tax purposes, the seventh highest in baseball and a franchise record. Heading into 2026, they have about $210 million committed, leaving room to boost spending amid past questions about ownership's willingness.
Key Needs
Breslow outlined priorities at the GM Meetings in Las Vegas, including a starting pitcher and more lineup power—only two players hit 20 or more home runs, with the team ranking 15th in MLB with 186 homers. "In a perfect world, I would suppose we would want to balance out the lineup (with a righty). That said, I think when you can hit the ball out of the park, it doesn't really matter," Breslow said. "... There are a number of different ways for us to improve our slug, but I think this idea that we can do more damage on balls in play is certainly a correct one."
Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello form a strong top of the rotation, backed by prospects like Connelly Early, Kyle Harrison, and Payton Tolle, but a veteran innings eater is essential. The bullpen needs middle relief reinforcement, and third base is a hole with Alex Bregman entering free agency and Rafael Devers traded away.
Potential Targets
The Red Sox hold trade capital in MLB-ready prospects and can pursue top free agents. Bregman, who had a tremendous season in Boston, opted out of his contract, forgoing two years and $80 million, but could return on a long-term deal for his defense, right-handed pull power, and leadership. Interest in Minnesota Twins' Joe Ryan, 29, persists after deadline talks; he has two years of arbitration control.
Speculation links Boston to Pete Alonso for right-handed power at first base, where Triston Casas has injury issues—Alonso has hit at least 34 homers in every full season since 2019, with no qualifying offer attached. Eugenio Suárez offers similar power on a shorter deal, despite 196 strikeouts (fourth in MLB). New England native Michael King, a high-upside starter sidelined by 2025 shoulder and knee injuries, fits as a discounted AL East veteran.
Trade Chips
Outfield depth is a surplus, with Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Jhostynxon Garcia, and Kristian Campbell vying for spots, plus DH Masataka Yoshida. Abreu and Duran draw interest as trade pieces for a controllable third baseman or starter. Prospects like Early, Payton Tolle, David Sandlin, Richard Fitts, and 2022 first-rounder Mikey Romero could also move.