The Boston Red Sox have been quiet this offseason - maybe a little too quiet for a team that’s one big move away from stepping back into the contender conversation. The pieces are there.
The young core is developing, the farm system is producing, and the front office has been deliberate - even shrewd - in its recent transactions. But the next step?
That’s going to require a splash.
And there are two names that could make that splash: Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette.
According to reporting from Ken Rosenthal, Bregman should be at the top of Boston’s wish list. The veteran third baseman, who turns 32 in March, has long been known as one of the league’s most respected clubhouse leaders.
He’s a proven commodity in the postseason and brings a steady, professional approach at the plate. In 114 games this past season, Bregman posted a .273 batting average with a .360 on-base percentage and a .462 slugging percentage - good for an .821 OPS.
He added 28 doubles, 18 home runs, and 62 RBI, continuing to show the kind of consistency that makes him a difference-maker in any lineup.
For a Red Sox team looking to stabilize its infield and add a bat that can lengthen the order, Bregman fits the mold. He’s not just a name - he’s a tone-setter.
Someone who raises the standard in the clubhouse and makes the players around him better. If Boston is serious about contending, this is the type of player who can help get them there.
But if Bregman ends up signing elsewhere, the fallback plan is hardly a consolation prize.
Enter Bo Bichette.
At just 27 years old, Bichette is already a two-time All-Star and one of the most dynamic shortstops in the game. He’s coming off a season where he slashed .311/.357/.483 with an .840 OPS - numbers that speak for themselves.
He racked up 44 doubles, 18 home runs, and 94 RBI across 139 games. That’s elite production from a premium position, and his offensive profile would immediately elevate Boston’s lineup.
There’s also positional flexibility to consider. If the Red Sox were to land Bichette and shift him to second base, it could open the door for top prospect Marcelo Mayer to slide in at third. That kind of infield alignment would give Boston a blend of star power, youth, and upside - a foundation that could carry the team for years to come.
The financial side? Boston has the resources.
And with Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow showing patience and precision in his early moves this winter, the team is in a position to strike. Whether it’s Bregman or Bichette, the Sox have the means to make a major addition - and the need to do so.
This isn’t about spending for the sake of spending. It’s about making a calculated investment in a player who can change the trajectory of the franchise.
With the AL East as competitive as ever, standing still isn’t an option. The Red Sox have been methodical, but now it’s time to be bold.
Bregman brings leadership and postseason pedigree. Bichette brings youth and offensive firepower. Either one could be the move that shifts Boston from a team with potential to a team with purpose.
The opportunity is there. The money is there. Now it’s just about pulling the trigger.