The Red Sox have decisions to make about their lineup this offseason and there are several offensive options.
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman named five batters the Red Sox could consider and added they’re considering “signing up to two” of them.
The five names are: Kyle Schwarber, Pete Alonso, Kazuma Okamoto, J.T. Realmuto and Alex Bregman.
“With the quarter-billion dollars saved from the smart midseason dumping of Rafael Devers, Boston looks like a huge player this winter in what shapes up as a battle royal in baseball’s only division featuring three legit big-market teams,” Heyman wrote. “Bregman seems the most likely fit, but they’d love another big bat, with righty hitters preferred, although Schwarber is strongly in the mix following his brilliant 56-homer season, excellent clubhouse rep and familiarity from his cameo there in 2021.”
Bregman opted out of the final two years of his contract with Boston earlier this month. The Red Sox have expressed desire to re-sign him, but it’s unclear if the two sides will come to terms on a contract. Bregman finished the 2024 season with a .273 batting average with 18 home runsand 62 RBI — numbers that likely would have been inflated had he not missed 43 games due to a quad injury.
Schwarber has also been linked to Boston. He played 41 games for the Red Sox after a trade from the Washington Nationals in 2021. He quickly became a fan favorite on and off the field.
He signed with the Phillies in 2022 and has been a staple in their lineup. In four seasons, the power hitter has a .226 batting average with 187 homers and 434 RBI. Schwarber’s 56 homers and 132 RBI last season led the National League.
Alonso has also been connected to the Red Sox this offseason. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi tabbed Boston as the “strongest contender” to sign the first baseman ahead of the 2026 season.
Alonso has shown he’s durable having played 162 games in each of the last two seasons, but his defense has been inconsistent. Despite that, ex-MLB general manager Jim Bowden believes Alonso would be a perfect player for the clubhouse.
“And what would he do to Roman Anthony?” Bowden said on “Foul Territory.” “What would he do for the middle of that lineup? Take all the pressure off. I think it would be a great fit for them.”
Realmuto is a three-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger and two-time Gold Glove winner. He would fill the right-handed bat need and the catcher also has experience at first base — though he hasn’t played there since 2022.
Okamoto was officially posted on Nov. 20. The 29-year-old infielder from Japan had six consecutive 30-home run seasons between 2018-23. A primary third baseman, Okamoto has also played first base. Despite an elbow injury last season, the six-time NPB All-Star still slashed .327/.416/.598 with 15 home runs in 69 games.