The 2026 Red Sox Foundation & One Possible Plan

[moonslav59]

Here is a look at the Red Sox Players controlled through the 2026 season and what the foundation looks like before any additions (or subtractions) are made.

No more control: Buehler, Chapman, Wilson, Refsnyder, May, Matz & Hendriks

SP: Crochet, Bello, Giolito (140 IP option trigger,) Sandoval, Dobbins, Crawford, Harrison, Fitts, Criswell, Perales & Houck (to be added to 60 Day IL once the season begins)

RP: Slaten, Whitlock, Weissert, Bernardino, Winckowski, Hicks, Guerrero, Murphy, Moran, Kelly, Sandlin (R5,) Mullins (R5,) Paez (R5)

C: Wong & Narvaez

1B: Casas & Lowe (Toro traded/nontendered?)

2B: Mayer, Romy & DHam (Grissom traded/nontendered?)

SS: Story & Sogard

3B: Bregman (option/extension? or Mayer)

LF: Duran & Garcia

CF: Rafaela (Eaton traded/nontendered)

RF: Anthony & Abreu

DH: Campbell & Yoshida

Of course, the whole off season starts with the Bregman decision and how we deal with Chapman and the closer opening, but after those choices, we still have some significant needs. I prioritize them as such:

Assuming Bregman & Chapman return...

1. A solid #2 type SP'er (like Joe Ryan) even if Gio returns.

2. Pen depth (better than Wilson, Matz and the likes of Hicks)

3. 2B (can't count on Mayer)

4. 1B (can't count on Casas & Lowe)

In my opinion, we will end up trading an OF'er, most likely Duran, due to higher cost and lower years of control than the others, along with some prospects for Joe Ryan or maybe Mitch Keller. The cost of FA SP'ers is just too high, these days.

Then, sign Caros Estevez (RP) Luis Arraez (1B/2B) and Dustin May (SP)

The 26 could look like this:

1. Arraez 1B (2B)

2. Anthony LF/RF

3. Story SS

4. Bregman 3B

5. Abreu/Garcia RF

6. Casas/Garcia/Romy DH

7. Mayer 2B/Romy 2B/1B

8. Narvaez C (Wong)

9. Rafaela CF

SP: Crochet, Ryan, Giolito, Bello, Sandoval/May/Dobbins/Crawford/Fitts

RP: Chapman, Estevez, Slaten, Whitlock, Harrison, Bernardino, Murphy, Moran, Guerrero, Kelly, Hicks

 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The Red Sox need a consistent home run threat in the heart of the order. 

They average the AL's second-most runs per game -- but with double figures once a week, and 3 or less the rest of the games. And Boston is by far the majors' doubles champion... but how many times have we seen that guy stranded on 2nd or 3rd?

In this age of swing-and-miss, the Sox may not be that much worse at striking out than many other contenders. But the difference is most of those clubs have more game-changing HR hitters, guys who regularly blast 30, 40, even 50 taters per year.

Yes, there are plenty of examples of teams that win without the longball. But for an organization that prides itself on smarts, tailoring a line-up to fit Fenway Park for half its games should be a priority.

It's why I never wanted to trade Casas or Anthony or Garcia, because any prospect with above-average power potential should be coveted. 

Are the Yankees better than Boston without Judge? The M's without Raleigh? Look how the Astros have struggled to score without a healthy Yordann. Consider the Phils without Schwarber, LA without Ohtani, Mets without Soto and Alonso -- Alonso, soon looking for a new contract...

Power to the people, right on.

[Bellhorn04]

At first glance I thought this thread was about a new charity. 😄

[mvp 78]

Arraez has been a 1.7 fWAR guy the last two full seasons combined. I'd rather throw Masa or Casas at 1b instead if that's all you're getting out of him. 

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Arraez has been a 1.7 fWAR guy the last two full seasons combined. I'd rather through Masa or Casas at 1b instead if that's all you're getting out of him. 

That's a big concern, despite his age.

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, Bellhorn04 said:

At first glance I thought this thread was about a new charity. 😄

Yes, I'm raising money for a go fund an Alonso contract.

[notin]

Sandoval might be the #2 starter if he’s healthy.  Don’t sell him short…

 

[notin]

I don’t see the Sox adding that many barring trades (Duran is presumably traded).

Dont forget there is no Injured List in the off-season, so players like Houck, Dobbins, and Mayer who are presently injured and (in the case of Houck) likely to miss 2026 still count towards the 40 man limit.  Plus the Rule 5 eligible players can get added - Sandlin most definitely and Castro very likely.  Mullins possibly.  Bleis? Doubtfu.  Maybe 1-2 more in didnt mention?

So even after the Fungibles (Eaton, Toro, and Sogard) get dumped and decisions are made on Criswell (keep), Hamilton and Grissom (DFA?), and Lowe (non-tender), there might be maybe 3-4 spots open…

[notin]

26 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Yes, I'm raising money for a go fund an Alonso contract.

Unless Henry contributes, it’s not likely…

[Bellhorn04]

3 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Arraez has been a 1.7 fWAR guy the last two full seasons combined. I'd rather through Masa or Casas at 1b instead if that's all you're getting out of him. 

Arraez led the NL in hits in 2024 but his bWAR was only 1.0.  That's a strange profile.

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Arraez led the NL in hits in 2024 but his bWAR was only 1.0.  That's a strange profile.

So little power and not a plus on D. Maybe too questionable for a gamble.

Plus, we need some power.

[mvp 78]

1 hour ago, notin said:

Sandoval might be the #2 starter if he’s healthy.  Don’t sell him short…

 

Coming off TJS, that's a big IF for a guy who has never thrown 150 innings in one season before. 

[mvp 78]

13 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Arraez led the NL in hits in 2024 but his bWAR was only 1.0.  That's a strange profile.

He'd have value if his glove was playable in the field. He just doesn't have any range as he's slow, unathletic and doesn't have an arm either. For a 5'10" guy, he needs to tighten that up. 

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

He'd have value if his glove was playable in the field. He just doesn't have any range as he's slow, unathletic and doesn't have an arm either. For a 5'10" guy, he needs to tighten that up. 

Are there any good FAs who can play 1B and 2B, well?

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Coming off TJS, that's a big IF for a guy who has never thrown 150 innings in one season before. 

Typical Sox great hope.

He did have a 5.3 bWAR in 31 GS from ('21-'22) so I think the hope is justified.

3.17 ERA and 3.44 FIP- not easy to do with a 3.7 BB/9.

[mvp 78]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

Are there any good FAs who can play 1B and 2B, well?

Nothing that jumps out at you. This offseason is just to sign Rhys Hoskins at 1b/DH. 

[moonslav59]

14 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Nothing that jumps out at you. This offseason is just to sign Rhys Hoskins at 1b/DH. 

Very possible. 

Finding a way to trade Yoshida would help clear a spot for Casas at DH (maybe with Romy or Ref, although Casas has done okay v LHPs.)

[mvp 78]

3 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Very possible. 

Finding a way to trade Yoshida would help clear a spot for Casas at DH (maybe with Romy or Ref, although Casas has done okay v LHPs.)

According to Breslow, Henry has no problem eating salaries. Deal Masa. Don't worry if Casas is ready on Opening Day. Run with Lowe/Hoskins/Casas and figure out which one doesn't work out during the year. Casas starting in AAA of course.

[moonslav59]

31 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

According to Breslow, Henry has no problem eating salaries. Deal Masa. Don't worry if Casas is ready on Opening Day. Run with Lowe/Hoskins/Casas and figure out which one doesn't work out during the year. Casas starting in AAA of course.

So, bring Bregman and Chapman back.

Trade Duran, DHam and prospects for Ryan.

Sign Hoskins (RHB) and couple decent RP'ers and call it a winter?

1. L Anthony LF

2. R Bregman 3B

3. L Abreu/ R Garcia RF

4. R Hoskins 1B

5. L Casas/R Romy DH

6. R Story SS

7. L Mayer/R Romy 2B

8. R Narvaez C

9. R Rafaela CF

Rotation: Crochet, Ryan, Bello, Giolito, Sandoval/Dobbins/Crawford

Pen: Chapman, Slaten, Whitlock, ___, ___, Weissert, Bernardino, Dobbins/Crawford/Sandoval

 

[Jean-Sébastien Blouin]

Je pense que quand il va sentir que c’est le temps de gagner une série mondial ou d’avoir une grosse saison, il va sortir l’argent qui faut 

[notin]

4 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Coming off TJS, that's a big IF for a guy who has never thrown 150 innings in one season before. 

Have faith, young man.   You’re making him sound like Garrett Crochet…

[notin]

7 minutes ago, Jean-Sébastien Blouin said:

Je pense que quand il va sentir que c’est le temps de gagner une série mondial ou d’avoir une grosse saison, il va sortir l’argent qui faut 

C'est des temps comme ça, j'aimerais avoir prêté plus d'attention en cours de français.

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, notin said:

Have faith, young man.   You’re making him sound like Garrett Crochet…

Sandoval TJS 6/26/24: Opening day 2026 will be over 20 months.

Crochet TJS 4/5 22: returned 13 months later (May '23) but pitched just 12 innings. 24 months later he pitched 146 IP for the CWS and earned the notice of Breslow in 2024.

[notin]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Nothing that jumps out at you. This offseason is just to sign Rhys Hoskins at 1b/DH. 

Gleyber Torres?  Brandon Lowe?

[mvp 78]

Just now, notin said:

Gleyber Torres and Brandon Lowe…

The ball will definitely jump out if Torres is playing. Lowe is having an absolutely HORRENDOUS season at 2b. 

[mvp 78]

9 minutes ago, notin said:

Have faith, young man.   You’re making him sound like Garrett Crochet…

I was trying to make him sound like Patrick Sandoval. 

[mvp 78]

9 minutes ago, notin said:

C'est des temps comme ça, j'aimerais avoir prêté plus d'attention en cours de français.

If this keeps up, I'm going to assign everyone involved a weekend screening of Le Retour de Martin Guerre.

[notin]

16 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I was trying to make him sound like Patrick Sandoval. 

That’s a fail.  All I read was Crochet…

[notin]

12 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

If this keeps up, I'm going to assign everyone involved a weekend screening of Le Retour de Martin Guerre.

How about “Abbot and Costello Meet The Guillotine” instead?

[notin]

23 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

The ball will definitely jump out if Torres is playing. Lowe is having an absolutely HORRENDOUS season at 2b. 

Lowe can play first, too…