The Red Sox have made it clear this offseason isn’t just about finding more offense. Boston’s front office is also zeroing in on the pitching side, and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said that depth is a priority as the club shapes its roster.
Speaking with MassLive.com’s Sean McAdam, Breslow laid out why that matters.
"I think we’ll look to build pitching depth,’" Breslow said. ”You never have too much of that, whether that is being able to develop an impact our own major league team, whether it’s to acquire it and then use it to address other holes in the roster that surface down the road. ...
So while we sit here today and say that we feel good about our rotation and bringing back our entire bullpen, having flexibility and optionable pitching depth is incredibly valuable. We’ll certainly be on the lookout for ways to improve there."
That approach makes sense with Sonny Gray now on the free-agent market after leading Boston’s rotation in 2026. It also fits the reality of what the Red Sox went through last season, when injuries took a toll and Garrett Crochet missed the vast majority of the year. Boston also moved pieces out, including Connelly Early and prospect Anthony Eyanson.
If the Red Sox are shopping for arms, Shane Bieber is one name that should be on the radar. The Toronto Blue Jays right-hander has been linked to Boston before and is available again.
In 2026, he made only 11 starts and posted a 4.37 ERA across 55 2/3 innings. That kind of limited workload could keep his price down, which would make him a classic buy-low gamble if he can hold up in 2027.
Michael King is another fit to watch. The former San Diego Padres starter has also been connected to Boston in the past, and the Red Sox had interest in him last year before he re-signed with San Diego. King, who played his college baseball at Boston College, turned in a 3.21 ERA in 32 starts.
If Boston goes in a different direction, Nick Pivetta is out there too. The former Red Sox right-hander is available in free agency as well.
However it plays out, the message is the same: Boston needs more pitching depth. With Gray in free agency and fewer upper-level arms ready to step in than in years past because of trades, the Red Sox sound like a team that knows it has to add more.
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