The biggest offseason question hanging over Boston isn’t about a bat or a bullpen arm. It’s Adley Rutschman.
At 28, the All-Star catcher has just one year of control left before he can hit free agency after the 2027 season, unless the Red Sox work out a long-term extension first. Craig Breslow wouldn’t show his hand when asked about that possibility at his end-of-season press conference, but he did make clear how quickly Rutschman fit in.
"He immediately endeared himself to the pitching staff, to the coaching staff, to the clubhouse," Breslow said. "Just a really, really high-quality teammate and leader.
As to the other question, I think that's something that will develop internally. Any conversations about what Adley's future looks like will take place between Adley, his representatives and me."
Boston had to pay a hefty price to land him, and it’s easy to see why. Rutschman’s offense dipped in 2025 and 2026 because of injuries, but his 2024 numbers still jump off the page: 19 home runs, 79 RBIs, 21 doubles and a .250/.318/.391 slash line in 148 games.
On top of that, he’s one of the best defensive catchers in the sport. The Red Sox have spent years trying to solve the catcher spot, and Rutschman looks like the answer.
The move now should be to keep him.
There’s also a familiar trade idea back in circulation, and this time it makes more sense than it did a year ago. Last offseason, one argument against moving Jarren Duran for Isaac Paredes was that Duran’s trade value was simply too high.
That’s no longer the case. Houston needs outfield help, and Boston needs another slugger.
Paredes delivered 25 home runs in 2026, and that kind of pop would play in Boston.
Then there’s Bryan Bello, whose 2026 season raised a real role question. He was excellent out of the bullpen but spent most of the year struggling in the rotation before finishing strong.
The decision on whether he starts again in 2026, or heads back to relief, may come down to Sonny Gray. If Boston brings Gray back, that could squeeze Bello out of the rotation.
The same would be true if the Red Sox add another right-handed starter to join Garrett Crochet, Payton Tolle, Jake Bennett and Ranger Suarez. If they don’t land another high-profile righty, that would point toward Bello having a clearer path back into the rotation.
In Other News...
Red Sox Offseason Urgency Just Got Tied To One Big Bat
The Red Sox are already facing an offseason that feels pointed toward offense, and Randy Arozarena has quickly emerged as a name that fits the conversation. Boston is being linked to the free-agent outfielder as a potential way to add impact to a lineup that could use more thump, and his recent season with the Mariners only adds to the appeal.
Arozarena brings the kind of all-around presence that can change how a batting order is viewed, thanks to a campaign that included 26 home runs and 26 stolen bases. For a Red Sox team looking for a meaningful offensive upgrade, the question now is whether the fit is real enough to turn interest into a deal. [Read more 🡒]
Aroldis Chapman Gave The Red Sox Something They Couldn't Afford To Lose
Aroldis Chapman gave the Red Sox exactly the kind of late-inning certainty they were hoping for when they brought him back as their closer. The veteran left-hander delivered a strong 2026 season, piling up 35 saves with a 1.92 ERA, earning a second All-Star nod as a Red Sox player and reaching the rare benchmark of 400 career saves along the way.
For a bullpen that can never really have too much stability, Chapmans return matters well beyond the individual numbers. Boston and Chapman mutually opted into a $13 million contract option for 2027, keeping one of the games most experienced finishers in place and giving the Red Sox a familiar answer at the end of games as they try to build on what he just provided. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Offseason May Hinge On One Sonny Gray Decision
The Red Sox are heading into a crucial stretch of the offseason with Sonny Gray sitting at the center of it. Within five days after the World Series ends, Boston and the veteran right-hander will have to make a mutual option call on a contract that carries a $30 million salary and a $10 million buyout, a decision with clear ripple effects for how the club approaches the rest of its winter.
Grays strong season has made this a far more meaningful choice than a routine paperwork exercise. Boston has plenty to weigh in roster construction, and whether it keeps a proven arm in place or lets him test free agency could shape the tone and direction of the entire offseason. [Read more 🡒]