With the offseason underway, Boston’s priorities are coming into focus, and the Red Sox are clearly hunting for ways to get better without overspending. The biggest need is obvious: more power in the lineup.
A designated hitter upgrade looks like the cleanest path, especially after the DH spot mostly rotated through outfielders in 2026. If the club makes a move such as shifting Jarren Duran, that would open the door to adding a bat there with little hassle.
There are other areas Boston could address too. A left-handed reliever would make sense, and a backup catcher could be in play if the Red Sox decide not to stick with Connor Wong in that role heading into 2026.
The big-ticket names have already drawn plenty of buzz, with Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki among the more expensive possibilities. But Boston could also shop in a lower range, and a few fits stand out.
Eugenio Suarez is one of them. He was linked to the Red Sox last offseason, but Boston went another direction.
At the time, his glove was viewed as the main issue. Put him at DH, though, and that concern disappears.
Suarez signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds for the 2026 season, plus a mutual option for 2027. Those options rarely get picked up.
The bat, though, still plays. He hit 26 homers in 125 games in 2026, after launching 49 in 2025 between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners and 30 in 2024.
If the Red Sox want pop without a massive commitment, he fits the bill.
On the bullpen side, JoJo Romero is worth a look. The 30-year-old is heading into free agency for the first time this offseason.
He posted a 3.36 ERA in 55 appearances in 2026 with the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, and the year before he put up a 2.07 ERA in 65 outings with St.
Louis. He may not come with a huge profile, but he’d help Boston’s relief mix.
Austin Hedges is another name to keep in mind behind the plate. He made around $4 million in 2026 with the Guardians and hit .247/.325/.377 with six home runs and 25 RBIs in 78 games.
He’s a 12-year major league veteran, so the experience is there. Wong might still offer more with the bat, but Hedges remains a real option.
Then there’s Ryan Yarbrough, a pitcher Boston already saw in 2026. He made 38 appearances for the New York Yankees and posted a 3.69 ERA across 63 1/3 innings.
His career ERA sits at 4.18, and he earned just $2.5 million in 2026. He’s a veteran arm with proven AL East success, which gives him appeal for a Red Sox club looking for useful depth at a reasonable price.
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