{"id":941519,"date":"2026-10-22T02:08:14","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T02:08:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/941519\/"},"modified":"2026-10-22T02:08:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T02:08:14","slug":"offseason-outlook-boston-red-sox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/941519\/","title":{"rendered":"Offseason Outlook: Boston Red Sox"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Red Sox have snagged playoff spots in two straight years but have been quickly dispatched both times. In 2027, they will need several players to bounce back from injury, but will also have to make plenty of decisions before then.<\/p>\n<p>Guaranteed Contracts<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/crochga01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Garrett Crochet<\/a>, LHP: $142MM through 2031 (deal includes club option for 2032)<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/anthoro01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Roman Anthony<\/a>, OF: $123MM through 2033 (deal includes club option for 2034)<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/suarera01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ranger Suarez<\/a>, LHP: $120MM through 2030 (including buyout of 2031 mutual option)<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/campbkr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Kristian Campbell<\/a>, OF: $55MM through 2032 (including buyout of 2033 club option)<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bellobr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Brayan Bello<\/a>, RHP: $44.5MM through 2029 (including buyout of 2030 club option)<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rafaece01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ceddanne Rafaela<\/a>, OF: $44MM through 2031 (including buyout of 2032 club option)<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/storytr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Trevor Story<\/a>, SS: $30MM through 2027 (including buyout of 2028 club option)<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/contrwi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Willson Contreras<\/a>, 1B: $24.5MM through 2027 (including buyout of 2028 club option)<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/y\/yoshima02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Masataka Yoshida<\/a>, OF\/DH: $18MM through 2027<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/chapmar01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Aroldis Chapman<\/a>, LHP: $13MM through 2027 (salary could increase by up to $1MM based on Reliever of the Year vote)<\/p>\n<p>Option Decisions<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/grayso01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sonny Gray<\/a>, RHP: $30MM mutual option with $10MM buyout<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/whitlga01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Garrett Whitlock<\/a>, RHP: $8.25MM club option with $1MM buyout (deal also contains 2028 club option)<\/p>\n<p>2027 financial commitments: $158.5MM<br \/>Total future commitments: $625MM<\/p>\n<p>Arbitration-Eligible Players (service time in parentheses;\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlbtraderumors.com\/2026\/10\/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2027.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">projected salaries courtesy of MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>Non-tender candidates: Houck, Oviedo, White, Crawford, Wong, Gonz\u00e1lez, Casas, Monasterio, Kelly, Jones<\/p>\n<p>Free Agents<\/p>\n<p>In a sense, the 2026 season was a bit of a letdown for the Red Sox. They made the postseason in 2025. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/crochga01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Garrett Crochet<\/a> established himself as an ace. Youngsters <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/anthoro01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Roman Anthony<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tollepa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Payton Tolle<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/e\/earlyco01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Connelly Early<\/a> made their debuts and gave the club an exciting wave of young talent. The Sox had an aggressive offseason heading into 2026, hoping to move up to the next level. They gave a nine-figure deal to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/suarera01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ranger Suarez<\/a>. They acquired <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/grayso01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sonny Gray<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/contrwi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Willson Contreras<\/a> from the Cardinals.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, they didn\u2019t end up making any progress. Their win total dropped by two, going from 89 to 87. They still made the playoffs but with essentially the same disappointing result. In 2025, they had at least pushed their Wild Card matchup with the Yankees to three games. In 2026, they were handily dismissed. They again faced the Yankees but were swept this time, losing the two games by a combined 18-2 score.<\/p>\n<p>It was a deflating result. If one wanted to be optimistic, they could point out that the Sox worked around a large number of injuries. Crochet made only six starts due to shoulder issues. A hand\/wrist situation limited Anthony to just 55 games. Contreras was on the injured list for half of September due to a hamstring strain. He was off the IL for the second half but got hit on the hand by a pitch and missed more than a week. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/storytr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Trevor Story<\/a> had a nice bounceback season in 2025 but hernia surgery limited him to 64 games of limp production in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Even the midseason reinforcements got hurt. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/meadcu01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Curtis Mead<\/a> was picked up at the deadline but was hit by a pitch and broke his wrist in his first game for Boston. Catcher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rutscad01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Adley Rutschman<\/a> was on the IL with wrist inflammation when he was acquired. He came off the IL but had to manage a hyperextended elbow down the stretch.<\/p>\n<p>In a sense, it\u2019s somewhat encouraging that the Sox managed to win 87 games while missing so many key contributors. But in 2027, they will need to get those guys back. On top of that, they will need to bolster the roster around the guys who are staying.<\/p>\n<p>This offseason, the oft-discussed outfield shake-up might be finally coming. For a while now, the Sox have been trying to find playing time for Anthony, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rafaece01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ceddanne Rafaela<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/abreuwi02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Wilyer Abreu<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/duranja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jarren Duran<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/y\/yoshima02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-10-20_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Masataka Yoshida<\/a>. That logjam was mostly a non-issue in 2026 as Anthony\u2019s injury opened things up but it\u2019s still a crowded picture on paper.<\/p>\n<p>There are some pressure points squeezing Duran at the moment. He has shown huge upside in the past but is coming off an awful season. It feels a bit strange to say that about a 20-20 campaign but it\u2019s somehow true. His 6.7% walk rate was a drop of almost two points compared to last year. His 27.1% strikeout rate was his worst in a full season.<\/p>\n<p>He finished the campaign with a .207\/.266\/.361 line and 69 wRC+, indicating he was 31% worse than the league average hitter. His .252 batting average on balls in play was well south of average and his previous seasons. That can sometimes indicate bad luck but Duran\u2019s batted ball data all moved in the wrong direction. His hard hit rate went from 46.8% in 2025 to 39.9% this year. His average exit velocity dropped from 91.8 miles per hour to 89.6.<\/p>\n<p>As a Super Two guy, he has already had two arbitration seasons and can be retained for two more. But he already pushed his salary to $7.7MM in 2026. The arb process has historically focused on more traditional stats than advanced ones, so he\u2019s projected for a healthy raise to $11.1MM in 2027. That\u2019s a lot of money for a guy who is coming off a down season and battling for playing time with several other outfielders.<\/p>\n<p>  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"landing-logo no-border\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" width=\"372\" height=\"63\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1792634894_178_landing-logo.png\"\/><br \/>\n  Unlock Subscriber-Exclusive Articles Like This One With a Trade Rumors Front Office Subscription<\/p>\n<p>  &#13;<br \/>\n    Access weekly subscriber-only articles by Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams, and Anthony Franco.&#13;<br \/>\n    Join exclusive weekly live chats with Anthony.&#13;<br \/>\n    Remove ads and support our writers.&#13;<br \/>\n    Access GM-caliber tools like our MLB Contract Tracker&#13;<\/p>\n<p>  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlbtraderumors.com\/membership?ref=915688\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Red Sox have snagged playoff spots in two straight years but have been quickly dispatched both times.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":941520,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[435],"tags":[49,48,462,82],"class_list":["post-941519","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mlb","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-mlb","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/941519","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=941519"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/941519\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/941520"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=941519"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=941519"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=941519"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}