The Boston Red Sox aren’t just tinkering this offseason - they’re retooling with intent. After a flurry of moves that included trading for starters Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, Boston added another key piece to the puzzle: veteran slugger Willson Contreras. The goal is clear - bolster the lineup with more power, and Contreras brings exactly that.
Contreras is expected to handle the bulk of the work at first base, especially early on as Triston Casas works his way back from injury. Down the line, the two could split time between first and designated hitter duties, giving the Red Sox some flexibility and depth in the heart of the order. But even with Contreras in the fold, Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow made it clear - Boston isn’t done yet.
“It’s a priority for us,” Breslow said Monday, speaking to reporters about the team’s offseason plans. “We’ve got to make sure that we line up on that target, whether it be a free agency or the trade market, but we’re certainly doing the work to put ourselves in position to do that. I think that there’s an opportunity to add another bat to the roster and complement the group that we have right now.”
That bat could come via trade or free agency, and the Red Sox have already been linked to some big names. They were reportedly in the mix for Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber before those deals went elsewhere. Now, the focus could shift to Alex Bregman - a potential game-changer who checks the boxes for both production and postseason pedigree.
If Boston does land another impact bat, it would cap off what’s shaping up to be a highly productive offseason. Between the additions to the rotation and the injection of power at first base, Breslow and the front office are building a roster that looks much more competitive than the one that bowed out in the Wild Card round last season.
The Red Sox have made it known they’re not content with just making the playoffs - they’re aiming to make noise once they get there. With a revamped rotation, a more dynamic lineup, and the possibility of one more big swing before spring training, Boston could be positioning itself as a serious contender in the American League.