The Boston Red Sox have had a busy offseason — at least on the pitching front.
The Red Sox overhauled their rotation, adding ace Garrett Crochet in a trade with the Chicago White Sox and signing two-time All-Star Walker Buehler and Patrick Sandoval, who will likely return by midseason from Tommy John surgery.
They also upgraded their bullpen, adding left-handers Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson.
However, the Red Sox have been quiet on strengthening their lineup. Superstar Juan Soto rejected the Red Sox’s offer, and outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who hit 31 home runs for Boston in 2024, left for the Baltimore Orioles.
Despite finishing seventh in OPS (.742) and ninth in both runs scored (751) and home runs (194) in MLB, fans have been clamoring for the franchise to add another bat to the lineup.
During an interview with the “Fenway Rundown” podcast, Boston’s chief baseball officer Craig Breslow hinted at what could be coming.
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Boston Red Sox exec reveals team looking for right-handed bat
Breslow told the podcast that the Red Sox are looking to upgrade their lineup by adding a right-handed bat. Reading between the lines, he appears to be targeting All-Star third basemen Alex Bregman and Nolan Arenado.
“We’re still very much engaged in trying to bring in a right-handed hitter, obviously one that we think can be a difference-maker,” Breslow told “Fenway Rundown” host Chris Cotillo. “I think it’s fair to say that in some respects, maybe the roster is a bit incomplete. But we’re going to continue to work really hard to try to round it out.”
Craig Breslow on today’s Fenway Rundown:
“We’re still very much engaged in trying to bring in a right-handed hitter, obviously one that we think can be a difference-maker. I think it’s fair to say that in some respects, maybe the roster is a bit incomplete. But we’re going to…
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) February 7, 2025
Any move for a third baseman faces one significant hurdle: Rafael Devers is firmly entrenched at third and doesn’t want to move from the position. This means Bregman would likely play second, while Arenado would have to move across the diamond to first.
Signing Bregman would be the simpler option, though it would cost the Red Sox a draft pick as he rejected the Houston Astros’ qualifying offer. Bregman reportedly turned down a six-year, $156 million deal to return to Houston, and his current contract demands remain unclear.
As for Arenado, the Red Sox would need to work out a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals to acquire the eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner. Arenado would have to waive his no-trade clause, and the Red Sox would take on the soon-to-be 34-year-old’s remaining three years and $74 million contract.
One thing is clear — just days before Spring Training, the Red Sox aren’t done looking to add to their roster.
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