The Boston Red Sox have made some noise this offseason, but the buzz around the starting rotation isn’t dying down anytime soon. After entering the winter with a clear need for a No. 2 starter behind Garrett Crochet, the team took a couple of swings-trading for veteran right-hander Sonny Gray and the intriguing Johan Oviedo.
But if you thought that meant Boston was done shopping, think again.
President of Baseball Operations Craig Breslow hasn’t exactly slammed the door shut on adding another arm, and that’s worth paying attention to. According to league chatter, there’s a real chance-about 50/50-that the Red Sox could still land another impact starter before the offseason wraps up.
Why the Rotation Still Feels Like a Work in Progress
Let’s be clear: the addition of Sonny Gray gives the Sox something they desperately needed-a reliable, innings-eating presence. Gray, now 36, has logged at least 28 starts and over 165 innings in each of the past three seasons.
Twice in that span, he topped 180 innings. His 3.64 ERA since 2021 paints the picture of a steady, professional starter who can anchor the middle of a rotation.
That’s important. Stability matters, especially when you’re trying to build a staff around a high-upside arm like Crochet, who’s still growing into a full-season starter role. But Gray’s ceiling isn’t quite what you’d want from a frontline guy, and Breslow’s hesitance to anoint him the No. 2 speaks volumes.
Then there’s Oviedo-still young, still raw, and still very much a work in progress. He could be part of the long-term plan, or he could be a trade chip in something bigger. Either way, his presence gives the Red Sox some flexibility if a more dynamic arm becomes available.
And that’s where things get interesting.
Boston hasn’t moved any of its big-league outfielders yet, which means the front office still has the pieces to make a splash. The Gray trade gives them a higher floor. Now they can go hunting for a higher ceiling.
Here are three starters who could fit that bill.
1. MacKenzie Gore - Washington Nationals
Gore is one of the most intriguing names on the market this winter. The 27-year-old lefty looked like a frontline starter in the first half of 2025, posting a 3.02 ERA and punching out 138 batters in just over 110 innings. The second half was a different story-his ERA ballooned to 6.75 and his strikeout rate dipped-but the talent is undeniable.
He’s got two years of team control left, which makes him both valuable and moveable for a Nationals team still in the thick of a rebuild. The timing lines up for Washington to cash in while his value is high. And from Boston’s perspective, this is the kind of upside play that could transform the rotation.
There’s also a bit of familiarity here. Paul Toboni, now in the Nationals’ front office, knows the Red Sox system well.
That could help grease the wheels on a potential deal. Pair Gore with Crochet, and suddenly you’ve got a lefty duo that could be among the most electric in the American League-if Gore can find consistency.
2. Hunter Greene - Cincinnati Reds
Now here’s a name that’ll get fans talking. Greene isn’t officially on the block, but the Red Sox might have the ammo to make the Reds think twice.
The 26-year-old flamethrower is under contract for three more years at $40 million, with a team option tacked on. That’s a manageable deal for a team like Boston, but it could be a financial pressure point for a Reds team looking to trim payroll. His CBT hit is close to $9 million annually-something that could make him expendable if the right offer comes along.
Greene’s stuff is electric. We’re talking triple-digit heat and a wipeout slider.
But he’s also dealt with injuries and inconsistency. That said, Boston can afford to take that risk now.
With Gray in the fold, they don’t need Greene to be a 200-inning workhorse right away-they need him to be dominant when he’s on the mound.
If the Reds are looking for outfield help, Wilyer Abreu might be a perfect fit. He’s talented, controllable, and blocked in Boston. Package him with prospects, and the Red Sox might just have enough to pry Greene loose.
3. Edward Cabrera - Miami Marlins
Cabrera is another high-upside arm who finally started to put things together in 2025. He posted a 3.53 ERA over 26 starts and set career highs in innings pitched (137 2/3) and games started. Headed into his age-27 season, he’s got three years of team control remaining and is trending in the right direction.
The Marlins haven’t shown much willingness to move him-or Sandy Alcántara, for that matter-but Boston has a deep enough farm system to make things interesting. Miami is coming off a sub-.500 season and could be open to a retool if the right offer comes along.
Cabrera does come with some injury red flags, but the stuff is real. If he stays healthy, he’s got ace potential. And that’s exactly the kind of swing Boston can afford to take now that they’ve shored up the rotation’s floor.
Final Thoughts
The Red Sox have already taken meaningful steps to stabilize their starting rotation this offseason. Sonny Gray brings veteran reliability.
Johan Oviedo adds depth and flexibility. But there’s still room-and arguably a need-for one more move.
Whether it’s Gore, Greene, or Cabrera, Boston has options. They’ve got the prospect capital.
They’ve got the positional depth. And now, thanks to a couple of smart early moves, they’ve got the freedom to chase upside without risking total collapse if it doesn’t pan out.
Don’t expect Breslow to force a deal. But if the right name becomes available, the Red Sox are in position to strike-and potentially reshape the top of their rotation in a big way.