The Boston Red Sox might have missed out on snagging big-name free agents like Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, Kyle Tucker, and Kyle Schwarber this offseason, but that hasn't stopped them from earning an A grade from ESPN for their strategic moves.
Leading the charge, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has been active in the trade market, bringing in key players like pitchers Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, along with infielder Caleb Durbin, first baseman Wilson Contreras, and versatile utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Yet, the buzz around Boston suggests Breslow isn't done yet.
As spring training kicks off in Arizona and Florida, insider Sean McAdam from MassLive reports that the Red Sox are keen on bolstering their bullpen, particularly from the left side. Scouts are on the lookout for promising lefty relievers in rival camps.
Last season, the Red Sox had a solid lineup of left-handed relievers, but Breslow's roster overhaul saw the departure of Brennan Bernardino and Chris Murphy through trades, while veterans Justin Wilson and Steven Matz left in free agency.
The team has two promising rookie left-handers, Payton Tolle and Connelly Early, ranked as the top prospects by Baseball America. However, Breslow and manager Alex Cora are not planning to shift them into full-time relief roles just yet.
If Breslow pulls the trigger on another trade, who might be his target? Analyst Stephen Parello from BoSox Injection suggests a potential move involving JoJo Romero from St.
Louis. Breslow’s predecessor, Chaim Bloom, now with the Cardinals, could facilitate this trade, given their previous dealings for Gray and Contreras.
Romero, on a one-year, $4.3 million contract, could be a strategic acquisition. While not without flaws-his walk rate and limited elite production raise questions-his standout 2025 season, featuring a 2.07 ERA, eight saves, and 55 strikeouts over 61 innings, makes him an intriguing option. Breslow might see Romero as a valuable asset, not just for immediate bullpen depth, but also for potential trade value at the deadline.
The Red Sox's offseason strategy has been anything but conventional, and with Breslow at the helm, it seems there's more to come before the first pitch of the season.