MLB Agents Have Inkling For How Red Sox Offseason Might Unfold

Since free agency rumors have already begun to swirl, it’s time for the Boston Red Sox to get to work and get the team back to its contending ways. So far, word on the street is Fenway Park could be welcoming some notable additions this offseason.

Boston missed out on the playoffs after finishing a dead-even 81-81 in 2024, giving the organization its third consecutive swing-and-miss for October baseball — and the fifth in the past seven seasons. So far, the Red Sox have extended a qualifying offer (worth $21.05 million) to pitcher Nick Pivetta and have fellow right-hander Lucas Gioltio set to return for his second year, the first as an active member of the rotation.

That’s a start, however, the front office will need to do more. And from the sounds of the Winter Meetings, it seems as though the Red Sox need no reminder of that and are ready to get down to business.

“In our meetings, (the Red Sox) are definitely letting us know that ownership is committed, that they’re wanting to secure high-level players and that they’re definitely planning on being very active in the free agent market,” per The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey.

It’s still early, but Boston does have options.

Max Fried, a first-time All-Star last season with the Atlanta Braves hit the open market this offseason. The left-handed starter also was spotted sitting alongside Giolito in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium. Corbin Burnes, fresh off a fourth straight All-Star campaign, this time with the Baltimore Orioles, went 16-9 with a 2.92 ERA in 32 starts for Boston’s American League East foe. Plus, most recently, Japanese phenom pitcher Roki Sasaki has officially been made available for MLB teams to commence a bidding war for the 23-year-old right-hander.

Again, the options are there and those are just a few potential fits for the starting rotation.

The Red Sox also need to prepare for the potential losses of outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who led the team with 31 home runs this past season, and key bullpen arms Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen. That’s a mix of right-handed power and relief pitching reliability that isn’t easy to replace and will only add to the time spent evaluating what avenues chief baseball officer Craig Breslow will ultimately elect to explore.

“I think they’re back in business,” one anonymous agent told Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe. “That’s the way they’re talking.”

Teoscar Hernández, coming off a World Series victory with the Los Angeles Dodgers, expressed interest in playing for the Red Sox last offseason before signing a one-year, $23.5 million deal to bet on himself in the National League — which paid off — is back on the market. Hernández slashed .272/.339/.501 with 33 home runs and 99 RBIs for the Dodgers becoming a second-time All-Star, and could serve as an everyday outfielder in Boston skipper Alex Cora’s lineup next season.

As easy as choosing names off of free agency might seem, doing so might also come with some not-so-easy trade decisions to re-polish the roster to Boston’s liking within the next few months before the team convenes for spring training in Fort Meyers, Florida.