MLB Notebook: Red Sox still searching for answers following the Winter Meetings and the buzz around the league

The Winter Meetings are officially in the books, and with several of the offseason’s most impactful names now off the market, the Red Sox enter a familiar — but critical — phase of roster construction. For Boston, the headlines remain consistent: more work still needs to be done, and the organization’s focus remains squarely on adding power bats to round out a roster that showed flashes in 2025 but lacked punch in the middle of it's lineup.

The post-Winter Meetings period often defines the direction of an offseason. It’s where front offices pivot, reassess financial flexibility, and decide whether to strike aggressively or operate at the margins. For the Red Sox, that decision looms large as they balance payroll constraints, prospect capital, and a desire to remain competitive in a deep American League.

A Shrinking Market and Missed Fits

Several bats that made sense for Boston have already come off the board. On Saturday, the Mets signed infielder Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million deal, according to multiple reports. Polanco had been loosely connected to the Red Sox as a secondary bat option, valued for his positional flexibility and switch-hitting power. The 31-year-old could have filled roles at both first and second base, addressing multiple roster questions with one move.

Polanco’s signing also served as the Mets’ response to losing Pete Alonso during the Winter Meetings. Baltimore swooped in and landed Alonso on a five-year, $155 million deal, adding one of the league’s premier power bats to an already dangerous lineup. For Boston, the Alonso deal now seems that it was never realistic given the cost and years, but it underscored how quickly impact bats are disappearing from the market.

The Red Sox remain intent on adding offense and continue to explore both the free agent and trade markets. According to MassLive, the club is projected to carry a payroll of approximately $225 million for 2026. That figure suggests Boston has flexibility, but not unlimited freedom. The report also noted it is unlikely the team takes on “two big deals exceeding $25 million annually,” a reality that shapes how aggressive Boston can be.

Breslow’s Trade Chessboard

Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has stayed active behind the scenes. Boston remains engaged with free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, while also exploring trade possibilities for Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte and Astros infielder Isaac Paredes.

The conversations with Arizona, however, have been characterized as more exploratory than advanced. The Diamondbacks have reportedly set a high asking price for Marte, seeking premium pitching and high-end positional prospects in return. That’s where things get complicated for Boston.

Arizona’s interest is believed to include Marcelo Mayer, a player the Red Sox have been reluctant to move. Mayer’s inclusion would dramatically change the calculus of any deal, especially given the organization’s long-term view of him as a potential cornerstone. Arizona’s desire for pitching only adds another layer of difficulty, as Boston would need to decide how much future value it’s willing to sacrifice for present production.

Complicating matters further, the Mariners and Giants are also engaged in talks with Arizona regarding Marte, creating a competitive market that could push Boston out if the price climbs too high.

Cardinals as a Potential Trade Partner

While Marte discussions remain murky, the Cardinals have emerged as a more realistic trade partner. St. Louis is shopping infielder Brendan Donovan, though the Mariners and Giants appear to be frontrunners. The Cardinals are seeking multiple top prospects as they undergo a broader rebuild of both their major league roster and farm system.

More intriguing for Boston is Donovan’s teammate, Willson Contreras. The Red Sox have reportedly been connected to Contreras in trade talks, and the fit makes sense on multiple levels.

Contreras, a three-time All-Star, shifted to first base last season and has two years and $41 million remaining on his contract, along with a 2028 club option. He also holds a full no-trade clause, but sources believe he could be open to waiving it for the right situation.

At 33, Contreras aligns with Boston’s preference for shorter-term commitments to veteran hitters. In 2025, he hit .257 with 20 home runs, 80 RBI, and a .791 OPS across 120 games. Defensively, he posted four Outs Above Average at first base, per Baseball Savant — a quietly strong showing at a position that plagued Boston last season.

If the Red Sox complete a deal with St. Louis, it would mark their second significant trade of the offseason, following the acquisition of Sonny Gray in exchange for pitchers Richard Fitts and Brandon Clarke.

First Base Stability and Casas’ Uncertain Timeline

Contreras would provide immediate stability at first base, particularly with Triston Casas sidelined while rehabbing from surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon. Last season, Boston cycled through Nathaniel Lowe, Abraham Toro, and Romy González at the position, never finding a consistent solution.

While Casas is expected to return at some point in 2026, Breslow has been noncommittal about naming him the everyday first baseman upon his return. Adding Contreras would buy time, protect against setbacks, and give the Boston lineup flexibility moving forward.

The Duran Question

The Red Sox have also explored moving outfielder Jarren Duran, holding talks with the Royals that would have sent the outfielder to Kansas City, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. However, Kansas City’s recent additions — signing Lane Thomas to a one-year, $5 million deal and trading for switch-hitting outfielder Isaac Collins — suggest the door may be closing on that possibility.

While a Duran trade isn’t entirely off the table, the Royals now appear to be an unlikely dance partner, leaving Boston to reassess its outfield logjam internally or look elsewhere for value.

Where Can the Red Sox Turn Next?

One of the most intriguing names on Boston’s radar is Japanese free agent Kazuma Okamoto. The Red Sox are among the teams pushing hard for the 29-year-old slugger, who despite being limited to just 69 games in 2025, posted a staggering .327/.416/.598 slash line with 15 home runs and a 210 wRC+.

Over his career in Nippon Professional Baseball, Okamoto has crushed 248 home runs and owns a .277/.361/.521 slash line. MLB Trade Rumors projects Okamoto could land a four-year, $64 million deal, not including the posting fee owed to the Yomiuri Giants.

Okamoto bats right-handed — a significant plus for Boston — and his plate discipline suggests a smoother transition to MLB than many international hitters. His career strikeout rate (17.7%) and walk rate (10.7%) indicate an advanced offensive profile that could translate well to Fenway Park.

Boston has also shown “lukewarm” interest in free-agent third baseman Eugenio Suárez. The slugger is coming off a 49-home run campaign split between the Diamondbacks and Mariners, but will turn 35 during the season. Suárez would not require a long-term commitment, making him a potential short-term power fix.

The Red Sox have remained connected to Bo Bichette, though a reunion with Toronto isn’t guaranteed. If Bichette were willing to move to second base, his market would expand considerably.

The two-time All-Star hit .311 with 18 home runs, 94 RBI, and an .840 OPS in 2025, earning MVP votes for the fourth time in five seasons. MLB Trade Rumors projects Bichette could command an eight-year, $208 million deal — a commitment Boston would need to think long and hard about.

Boston’s search for pitching isn’t finished either. The Red Sox have been connected to Brewers ace Freddy Peralta, a two-time All-Star who finished fifth in NL Cy Young voting.

Peralta went 17–6 with a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 204 strikeouts across 33 starts in 2025. He’s owed $8 million next season and becomes a free agent after 2026, making him both affordable and impactful.

Acquiring Peralta would not come cheap, but it would immediately elevate Boston’s rotation. He would slot behind Garrett Crochet, pushing Gray to the No. 3 role and creating depth alongside Brayan Bello, Johan Oviedo, and internal options.

KING OF THE AL EAST?

With the hot stove heating up, former San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King has emerged as a legitimate free-agent target for the Red Sox.

Boston is one of several teams firmly in the mix for the 30-year-old starter, who is expected to make his decision in the near future, according to The Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham.

Once a reliever, King reinvented himself as a starter after being acquired by San Diego in the blockbuster deal that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees. He broke out in 2024, posting a 2.95 ERA with 201 strikeouts in 31 appearances, elevating himself from a rotation piece into an ace-caliber arm.

Injuries slowed that momentum last season. A right shoulder issue limited King to 15 starts in 2025, during which he went 5-3 with a 3.44 ERA, striking out 76 while walking 26. Even with the shortened season, King’s strikeout ability remained evident, and across two seasons with the Padres, he compiled an 18-12 record with a 3.10 ERA.

While the upside is undeniable, durability remains the concern. That reality means the Red Sox cannot rely on King as their primary rotation upgrade. If Boston were to sign him, it would need to be in addition to a true No. 2 starter. Since the David Price signing, the organization has been cautious about committing top-of-market dollars to free-agent pitchers, and a deal in the $20–25 million per year range would carry notable risk. King also declined a qualifying offer, meaning any signing would cost Boston a draft pick.

Abraham notes that the Yankees and Orioles are also competing for King’s services. He does have strong New England ties, having attended Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, Rhode Island, before pitching at Boston College and in the Cape Cod League.

When healthy, King misses bats, logs innings, and flashes front-of-the-rotation stuff. Still, it’s fair to question whether he profiles as a true No. 2—or even a 1B behind Crochet—despite offering more upside than Gray, whom Boston controls for only one more season.

Ultimately, the drawback is the cost. Adding King would mean committing $40 million or more annually between him and Gray, all while the roster still has clear offensive holes that need to be addressed.

King would undoubtedly strengthen the rotation, but given his injury history, contract demands, and the draft compensation attached, the Red Sox may be better served allocating their resources toward more pressing team needs.

Moves Around the League

The Diamondbacks are bringing back veteran right-handed starter Merrill Kelly on a two-year, $40 million deal, according to The Post's Jon Heyman. After seven seasons with the Diamondbacks, in which he compiled a 3.74 ERA, Kelly was dealt to the Rangers at the Trade Deadline on July 31. He finished 2025 with a 12-9 record and a 3.52 ERA in 32 starts.

Elsewhere, the Braves signed outfielder Mike Yastrzemski to a two-year, $23 million deal with a $7 million club option for 2028. Yastrzemski hit .233 with 17 home runs last season and cited family ties to the Braves organization as a motivating factor.

Upon signing with Atlanta, Yastrzemski revealed why it’s important to play for the Braves. 

“My dad played in the Braves' system back in the day,” Yastrzemski said via MLB.com. “Any time the Braves came through Fenway [Park], we'd always go and say hi to Bobby Cox, because my dad knew him. So, I have these long-term memories of rooting for the Braves from afar.”

Yastrzemski is another outfield option for the Braves heading to next season. He spoke about his role as he was introduced to the media this past week. 

"They tried to explain everything about how they'd like to use me, and being as polite as I could, I tried to cut them off and told them, 'Look, I don't care. I want to be a part of an organization that wins.' With them showing me the commitment [of] a two-year guaranteed deal, that gives me the ability to 100 percent buy in, be the best teammate I can and try to find any given way to help them out."

Former Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen signed a one-year deal with the Tigers, including a 2027 team option. Jansen enters 2026 with 476 career saves, just two shy of passing Lee Smith for third on the all-time list.

His deal with the Tigers is a one-year pact that includes a team option for the 2027 season. He will join recently re-signed Kyle Finnegan in the backend of the Tigers’ revamped bullpen for next season.

Jansen will get an opportunity to possibly close games for the Tigers and join the 500 save club. The 38-year-old will enter next season with 476 saves, just two shy of Lee Smith for third on MLB’s all-time leaderboard. Jansen recorded 29 saves last season with Los Angeles and has recorded at least 35 saves in each of his last 13 seasons.

Dustin May’s tenure in Boston is over, as the right-hander signed a one-year deal with the Cardinals after posting a 5.40 ERA in limited action for the Red Sox. Injuries again defined his season.

After making six appearances (five starts) in a Boston uniform, May agreed to a one-year deal with the Cardinals that includes a mutual option for the 2027 season. The 28-year-old was one of the two pitching additions the Red Sox made at the trade deadline. Boston traded two prospects, James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard, to the Dodgers, as the Sox were looking to reinforce their rotation.

While with the Sox, May logged a 5.40 ERA in 28 1/3 innings before landing on the injured list with right elbow neuritis in September. If Boston had advanced past the Yankees in the American Wild Card round, May would have been a candidate to join the ALDS roster.

May will join the Cardinals' rotation that includes Michael McGreevy, Matthew Liberatore, and Andre Pallante. The Cardinals are stretching out Kyle Leahy as a starter for next season, and Fitts, acquired in the Gray trade, is another candidate for their rotation.

The tall righty has potential and is armed with a mid-90s fastball, sweeper, and sinker, but harnessing his pitches and staying healthy remain the key.

The market for Kyle Tucker remains surprisingly quiet, with the Dodgers and Blue Jays as primary suitors. Tucker’s five-tool profile and career 139 OPS+ make him one of the most valuable players potentially available.

Meanwhile, the Mets and Padres continue trade discussions involving reliever Mason Miller and starter Nick Pivetta, while San Diego navigates a rotation in flux following multiple departures.

Finally, former Red Sox pitcher Bryan Mata is headed to Japan, signing with the Yomiuri Giants and continuing the growing trend of MLB pitchers seeking opportunity overseas.