The Red Sox have one obvious hole to fill after Sonny Gray hit the free agent market, and it’s not subtle: they need a right-handed starter.
Boston’s 2026 ace is gone, and the rest of the projected rotation tilts heavily to the left side. Not counting newly converted bulk guy Brayan Bello, Ranger Suarez, Payton Tolle, Jake Bennett and Patrick Sandoval all throw left-handed. That makes the search for a righty more than a luxury, especially with no guarantee Bello is back in the rotation when the offseason begins.
On the October 21 episode of "The Fenway Rundown" podcast, Sean McAdam of MassLive said he doesn’t expect the Red Sox to spend big on another starter and believes they’ll likely aim for a "back-end guy." That would seem to rule out former San Diego Padre Michael King, but it also leaves Boston room to revisit the trade market - the same route that brought in Gray.
One name to keep in mind is Joe Ryan. Bleacher Report ranked him as its ninth-best trade chip this offseason, and the Red Sox already tried to land him at the 2025 trade deadline before ending up with Dustin May instead.
Ryan wouldn’t fit the "back-end guy" label, but he would give Boston exactly what it needs if the goal is to keep the rotation strong. Minnesota is in a rebuilding phase, and with Ryan entering the final year of his contract, the Twins could be open to moving him, especially with the American League Central more competitive than ever.
The 30-year-old took a small step back in 2026 from his 2024-25 numbers, but he still put together a strong season: a 3.79 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP and 144.2 innings. He also missed a month with a glute strain.
Even with that interruption, his strikeout-to-walk profile stood out. Ryan struck out 159 batters while issuing only 31 walks, good for a five percent walk rate.
There’s another trait that should catch Boston’s eye. Ryan’s 89th percentile extension is the kind of thing Craig Breslow covets.
Because he’d be a rental, the price tag on Ryan should be lower than what Minnesota wanted at the 2025 deadline. That matters for a Red Sox team that already leaned hard on its top prospects and pitching depth in trades last offseason and again at the deadline.
The Twins may not be eager to part with him after holding onto him this deep into their rebuild, but Ryan looks like one of the better Gray replacements Boston could realistically chase. It’s at least worth the call.
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The offseason additions of Adley Rutschman and Curtis Mead only added to the sense that this group has room to grow, not just tread water. Analysts have pointed to the teams youth and the possibility of improvement after some underperformance last season, which leaves Boston in an interesting spot. The talent is there, the expectations are real, and 2027 feels like the kind of year when the Red Sox can either validate the optimism or give their doubters plenty more to say. [Read more 🡒]
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At the same time, Boston brought back minor league pitchers Angel Bastardo, Michael Sansone and Patrick Halligan on minor league contracts, a sign the club still sees value in keeping depth close by. The Red Sox also released catcher Juan Montero, another small but notable shift as the front office continues sorting through the back end of the roster and the minor league pipeline. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Suddenly Have A Tougher Jarren Duran Decision Than Expected
Jarren Durans name looked like an obvious one to circle for a possible move not long ago, but the picture around him has changed fast. After a poor 2026 season, his trade value has slipped, and the Red Sox are also dealing with an outfield crowd that already includes Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu and Roman Anthony, leaving the club with more bodies than clear-cut spots.
Even so, Boston may decide the best move is to keep Duran around a little longer. He still offers defensive value and a presence in the clubhouse, and he gives the Red Sox some insurance if injuries hit Anthony or someone else in the group. The harder part is that the chance to turn Duran into a meaningful return may already be gone, which leaves Boston weighing depth against whatever market is left. [Read more 🡒]