If the Red Sox are going to make one meaningful move this offseason, the cleanest answer might be a bat that already fits the roster they have.
Boston doesn’t need to tear things down and start over. The bullpen was the best in baseball in 2026, and most of that group is still intact.
The lineup is largely set too. What the Red Sox really need is more power, and there are a couple of straightforward ways to get it: add an everyday designated hitter, or bring in a middle infielder and move either Trevor Story or Curtis Mead to DH.
That’s why one name floated Monday by MassLive.com stood out. In a column featuring predictions from Sean McAdam, Christopher Smith and Chris Cotillo, McAdam’s pick for the “most significant” trade addition was Teoscar Hernandez.
“Teoscar Hernandez,” McAdam wrote. “Hernandez has been a Sox target before and the Dodgers have plenty of young outfielders to replace Hernández. He could serve as a fourth outfielder or part-time DH.”
The fit makes sense because Boston has already been in this lane before. The Red Sox were among the teams that showed interest in Hernandez during free agency back in 2024, but he wound up with the Los Angeles Dodgers instead. He might not be the splashiest name out there, but he checks the box Boston needs most: right-handed power and a bat that can slide into the DH mix.
Hernandez hit 16 home runs, drove in 64 runs and batted .267 in 125 games in 2026. That kind of production would give Boston a needed lift from the right side. He’s also set to make just over $17 million in 2027, with a $15 million club option for 2028, which keeps the price from getting out of hand.
There’s also a track record that suggests more pop could still be there. Before the 2026 season, Hernandez hadn’t finished a year with fewer than 25 home runs since 2020. If he stays healthy, there’s reason to think he could get back over 20 homers next season.
The Dodgers’ side of this is easy to see as well. They have big-name talent and big money spread all over the roster, and with the collective bargaining agreement set to expire in December, the league’s financial picture is uncertain this offseason. If Los Angeles decides it wants to trim payroll, Hernandez is the kind of player that could become available.
And if that happens, Boston should be ready. Hernandez is a player the Red Sox have already shown interest in, and he could fill exactly the kind of hole this roster still has. Compared with chasing a star like Elly De La Cruz, this would be a much cheaper way to add the power Boston needs.
In Other News...
Red Sox May Be Losing Sonny Gray For A Reason Fans Feared
Sonny Grays time in Boston now looks like it may have ended with more friction than closure. After the Red Sox declined his $30 million mutual option following the 2026 season, the veteran right-hander hit free agency, and the backdrop matters here: Gray finished the year on a contentious note with manager Chad Tracy, a finish that did little to make a reunion feel inevitable.
There is still a path for the Red Sox to bring him back, but it does not sound like a simple one. Gray has not indicated interest in returning, and the market could complicate matters further, with the Braves, Cubs and Blue Jays all mentioned as possible suitors who might be willing to go beyond what Boston wants to spend. For a club that could use stability on the mound, the question now is whether this is a clean break or just the start of a bidding war it may not want to win. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Are Suddenly Linked To A Move That Could Shake The AL
The Red Sox have already shown they plan to stay busy as the offseason opens, and the trade market is expected to remain part of their plan as free agency gets underway. With Boston looking for ways to keep improving, the club is now being mentioned in connection with one of the sports most electric young talents, a possibility that would instantly change the conversation around the roster.
Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com has floated the idea that Boston could pursue a trade for Cincinnatis Elly De La Cruz, a name that would bring plenty of attention anywhere it lands. It is still only speculation, but it underscores how aggressively the Red Sox are being discussed this winter and why any move involving a player of that caliber would be viewed as one of the most significant swings in the American League. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Defense Just Sent A Powerful Message About This Roster
The Red Sox got a clear reminder of how much value they can squeeze out of run prevention when Caleb Durbin, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu were all recognized for their work in the field. Durbin picked up the first Gold Glove of his career at third base, while Rafaela continued to establish himself as one of the leagues steadiest center fielders with a second straight award.
Abreus latest honor was just as notable, giving him three Gold Gloves in a row in right field and reinforcing what Boston already knew about its outfield defense. Put together, the three awards say plenty about the shape of this roster, with the Red Sox now able to point to elite gloves across the diamond as a real part of their identity. [Read more 🡒]