Red Sox 2025 Season Review/Offseason Preview Thread

[Larry Cook]

I think that as far as priorities for us this offseason, assuming Bregman opts out, are as follows: 

1.) ace type number 2 pitcher for the rotation. 
2.) left side of the infield help. 
3.) increase bullpen depth. 
4.) power bat. 

for priority number 1:

a.) call Pittsburgh and see if there is any interest in trading skenes! Offering Duran and abreau and prospects is a start. 

b.) if Detroit is going to make Skubal available, we need to call them and go all in on trading for him. 
 

 

[Bellhorn04]

Skenes and Skubal are pipe dreams.  The asks would start with Anthony and Early.

[Randy Red Sox]

12 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

I hope you are wrong.

JH spent a lot, last winter, and the window looks more open, now than it did last fall.

Of course, if all JH cares about is giving the fans an impression we have a chance and no more, then he may pull back on spending, but I seriously can't imagine him not spending up to but below the tax line and resetting it. That still gives us over $40M (with Story's contract counted.)

Sox fans aren't as dumb as he thinks.

Sox fans have fallen for his cheap ways for several years now. i realize we still spend more than many teams but we have gone from in the top 3-4 in spending to somewhere between 10-14 now and it has shown in the standings. Yes we did spend on Bregman but it was only for 1 year and much of that was offset by dumping Devers for next to nothing.

[Randy Red Sox]

47 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

I think that as far as priorities for us this offseason, assuming Bregman opts out, are as follows: 

1.) ace type number 2 pitcher for the rotation. 
2.) left side of the infield help. 
3.) increase bullpen depth. 
4.) power bat. 

for priority number 1:

a.) call Pittsburgh and see if there is any interest in trading skenes! Offering Duran and abreau and prospects is a start. 

b.) if Detroit is going to make Skubal available, we need to call them and go all in on trading for him. 
 

 

dream on for both A and B

[Randy Red Sox]

27 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Skenes and Skubal are pipe dreams.  The asks would start with Anthony and Early.

i would certainly include Early but NOT Anthony.  I like Early but you have to give to get and it will take a LOT more than him to get either of those 2 aces. Think Duran or Abreu plus at LEAST 2 more top prospects to even get the discussion started. Not mention why would 2 SP EVEN BE AVAILABLE???

[Randy Red Sox]

On 10/17/2025 at 12:32 PM, drewski6 said:

My peeve is complacency. Dont be complacent and I am happy. I do not expect WS every year.  IM not even really a results guy. Im an input > output guy. I am not a believer in win or fail or do or do not there is no such thing as try.

But I do not want to start plugging holes with dudes just because they are here because they are cheap or we are lazy or we overrate our own guys.

Need to get busy, cuz this team has work in front of them. Its a crucial offseason. And we need bats to hit behind our excellent lead off hitter (roman)

nothing happens till mid December so we are all wasting our time discussing what the Sox MIGHT do this offseason. Weak NFL day today so I am bored.

I expect them to bring back Gioloto on a lower rate and add 1 other rehabbing SP on a 1 yr deal. Then maybe a reliever and a decent bat. That is about all I am expecting.

[moonslav59]

58 minutes ago, Randy Red Sox said:

Sox fans have fallen for his cheap ways for several years now. i realize we still spend more than many teams but we have gone from in the top 3-4 in spending to somewhere between 10-14 now and it has shown in the standings. Yes we did spend on Bregman but it was only for 1 year and much of that was offset by dumping Devers for next to nothing.

I have mentioned the Devers dump and short term Breggie deal as keeping the spending doubts alive, but we cannot deny the fact that spending habits have changed in the last year or two.

We went several years after the Nate & Sale extensions/re-signings seeing very cheap spending trends. The Story and Yoshida signings were not all that large or long, and paled against the backdrop of losing Betts, JD, Price, Porcello and then Bogey with no comparable replacement spending.

I'm not projecting more spending. None of us know what JH will do next, but a change has happened, and in my opinion, it began with the Devers extension and a one step up signing of Giolito to 2 years after only 1 year deals for years. There were also extensions given to Rafaela & Bello that we had not really seen in that manner, before. The Crochet deal was the biggest since the Sale trade, and his extension cannot be overlooked. He's making near Price money and for 5 years. Yes, the Devers dump undid much of what looked like a major step up, and the Bregman opt out clause could easily have just been a sham signing to quiet the knowledgeable Sox fans that were getting angry and vocal, but there was more spending than just Bregman and Devers. Buehler's $21M/1 deal was double the $10M/1 trend we had seen, and it was done in light of Gio still being on the books and a second significant signing of Sandoval to $19M/2- another non one year signing. While we stepped down on pen spending by replacing higher costing Jansen and Martin with Chapman & Wilson, we actually got more from them. To me, the extensions to Anthony and Campbell solidifies the position that a clear change has taken place, regardless of the Devers and Bregman losses.

Again, JH might revert back to the 2020-2023 philosophy, and I will not be shocked. Upset, yes, but not surprised. As Frank Zappa would say, "I figure the odds be 50-50." on JH's winter budget plans. I'm holding out hope we spend at least up to the tax line, which might be $40-45M, and if we can somehow dump some salary from Yoshida or Hicks, or gain a few millions by trading Duran ($8M,) Campbell ($7.5)  and or Rafaela ($6.3M) maybe we can spend over $50M and pay no tax.

I would not be shocked if we spend up to the second line, since I have to think JH & Co. must recognize we have a wide open window for 2026 and beyond. A few targeted and successful additions could additions could get us to the top and for more than just 1-2 years.

Some of us will be very angry, if they drop the ball.

[notin]

1 hour ago, Larry Cook said:

I think that as far as priorities for us this offseason, assuming Bregman opts out, are as follows: 

1.) ace type number 2 pitcher for the rotation. 
2.) left side of the infield help. 
3.) increase bullpen depth. 
4.) power bat. 

for priority number 1:

a.) call Pittsburgh and see if there is any interest in trading skenes! Offering Duran and abreau and prospects is a start. 

b.) if Detroit is going to make Skubal available, we need to call them and go all in on trading for him. 
 

 

Can we stop with Skenes fantasies?  Pitt has no reason to deal him and certainly won’t do it for outsiders with less control.  If you’re not starting your deal for Skenes with both Anthony and Tolle, you’re not being serious.

 

And before the “they know the Sox won’t deal Antjony” stuff as if it matters, isnt Skenes just ss untiuchable?

[notin]

22 hours ago, Randy Red Sox said:

i would certainly include Early but NOT Anthony.  I like Early but you have to give to get and it will take a LOT more than him to get either of those 2 aces. Think Duran or Abreu plus at LEAST 2 more top prospects to even get the discussion started. Not mention why would 2 SP EVEN BE AVAILABLE???

So Anthony is untouchable but Skenes isn’t?  It’s not happening.  Especially not without Anthony.

Pitt doesnt want Duran and Abreu….

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, Larry Cook said:

I think that as far as priorities for us this offseason, assuming Bregman opts out, are as follows: 

1.) ace type number 2 pitcher for the rotation. 
2.) left side of the infield help. 
3.) increase bullpen depth. 
4.) power bat. 
 

#2 and #4 could be one addition like Suarez. We could also trade for K Marte or sign Polanco to play 2B and have Mayer at 3B and solve the same problems.

I'd put #2SP as my second priority but just barely ahead of adding a second power bat (1B, 3B, 2B or DH.) This may be the first winter in history that I have not said a solid SP'er is our #1 priority.

1. Power RHB (3B, 2B, 1B, DH)

2. Solid #2 SP

3. Power LHB or Switch hitter (2B, 1B, DH, 3B)

I'd like to bring Matz back to the pen, but I think our pen will be fine. We will likely convert a couple SP'ers in our system to pen arms.

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Skenes and Skubal are pipe dreams.  The asks would start with Anthony and Early.

Probably both.

Anthony plus Tolle or Early and maybe even more, like Campbell, Garcia or Arias.

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, Randy Red Sox said:

i would certainly include Early but NOT Anthony.  I like Early but you have to give to get and it will take a LOT more than him to get either of those 2 aces. Think Duran or Abreu plus at LEAST 2 more top prospects to even get the discussion started. Not mention why would 2 SP EVEN BE AVAILABLE???

Look what we gave up for Crochet, who had never pitched more than 140 IP and had a half of a great season once in his career.

Teel was our #4, but only because we had Anthony, Campbell and Mayer. Teel would have been a #1 on many if not most other teams. Montgomery was our #5. Meidroth as #8 and Wikelman was #18.

Early is our current #5 on soxprospects.com, but even if you call him our #2 or 3, there are no longer Anthony, Mayer and Campbell on the prospects list.

I seriously doubt PIT listens to an offer of Mayer, Early, Campbell or Garcia & Perales. They will want Mayer, Early and Tolle, if Anthony is not the headline. That might not even be enough.

Skubal has less control years, but I don't give up a mega package unless an extension is part of the deal.

[notin]

13 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Probably both.

Anthony plus Tolle or Early and maybe even more, like Campbell, Garcia or Arias.

If Breslow starts trying to substitute Abreu and/or Duran in Skenes talks, the only way it works is if 
Cherington is then allowed to substitute Mitch Keller for Skenes…

[notin]

1 hour ago, Randy Red Sox said:

nothing happens till mid December so we are all wasting our time discussing what the Sox MIGHT do this offseason. Weak NFL day today so I am bored.

I expect them to bring back Gioloto on a lower rate and add 1 other rehabbing SP on a 1 yr deal. Then maybe a reliever and a decent bat. That is about all I am expecting.

Pretty much on the same page.  They will bring back Giolito, acquire a RP, and fill two infield roles,  1b and either 2b or 3b.  If Casas is ready then maybe a DH instead of a 1b.

There will be a series of MiLB signings that we hopefully don’t need.  But a couple of them (Eaton, Toro) were pretty important last year.

At least one or two of their needs might come from a trade of an outfielder.  Most likely either Duran or Abreu…

[moonslav59]

5 minutes ago, notin said:

If Breslow starts trying to substitute Abreu and/or Duran in Skenes talks, the only way it works is if 
Cherington is then allowed to substitute Mitch Keller for Skenes…

While I do think PIT would highly value the prearb Abreu, he'd have to be the third best player in the package. Duran at just $8M is too expensive for PIT.

If Abreu is part of the deal, it would have to start with Anthony and then Tolle or Early.

2 from Mayer, Tolle and Early plus Abreu would not be enough.

Now, if we took back Brian Reynolds, maybe PIT starts listening to lower headliners. Include Keller, too and PIT would be saving over half their budget ($31M our of $60M projected.)

I don't want Reynolds, even as our LF'er or DH, but getting 4 years of Skenes gets me interested.

Would PIT take Duran, Campbell, Mayer, Tolle or Early for Skenes & Reynolds? (Sub Abreu for Duran, if they insist?)

I'd say they would think about it and say no. They'd want Tolle & Early and maybe not Campbell but Garcia or Sandlin, instead could be offered.

I'm not sure what adding Keller to the deal would mean, but he is no straight salary dump addition to the deal. Maybe...

Abreu/Duran, Tolle, Early, Mayer, Campbell & Sandlin for Skenes, Keller & Reynolds.

I know- I know these mega deals are head-spinners and highly unlikely, but helping PIT dump salary could be a way to lessen the return package hit on our roster and future.

[moonslav59]

7 minutes ago, notin said:

Pretty much on the same page.  They will bring back Giolito, acquire a RP, and fill two infield roles,  1b and either 2b or 3b.  If Casas is ready then maybe a DH instead of a 1b.

There will be a series of MiLB signings that we hopefully don’t need.  But a couple of them (Eaton, Toro) were pretty important last year.

At least one or two of their needs might come from a trade of an outfielder.  Most likely either Duran or Abreu…

If Casas is thought to be ready, he should be considered as the DH with adding a 1B a higher need. Plus, this winter has a lot of 1Bmen on the open market.... all better on D than the fragile Casas.

[Larry Cook]

47 minutes ago, notin said:

Can we stop with Skenes fantasies?  Pitt has no reason to deal him and certainly won’t do it for outsiders with less control.  If you’re not starting your deal for Skenes with both Anthony and Tolle, you’re not being serious.

 

And before the “they know the Sox won’t deal Antjony” stuff as if it matters, isnt Skenes just ss untiuchable?

And how do you if you do not ask?  Or are you privy to the inner workings of the Pittsburgh organization? 

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, Larry Cook said:

And how do you if you do not ask?  Or are you privy to the inner workings of the Pittsburgh organization? 

Skenes is still prearb. It does make sense to assume they will hold off on trading their only crowd drawing player.

Of course, blow anyone away with an offer and they will listen, but can we afford a massive overpay to gain at the top of the rotation, only to open 3-4 big holes elsewhere?

Now, the los cost of Skenes might afford us the chance to fill the two holes we already have plus the couple new ones opened up with this trade via free agency, but filling 4-5 holes, not 2-3 with $45M is a lot harder.

[Larry Cook]

5 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Skenes is still prearb. It does make sense to assume they will hold off on trading their only crowd drawing player.

Of course, blow anyone away with an offer and they will listen, but can we afford a massive overpay to gain at the top of the rotation, only to open 3-4 big holes elsewhere?

Now, the los cost of Skenes might afford us the chance to fill the two holes we already have plus the couple new ones opened up with this trade via free agency, but filling 4-5 holes, not 2-3 with $45M is a lot harder.

Fix the rotation after crochet and bello and this is a playoff team!  
The better the rotation, the further into the playoffs we go! 
 

if (big if) skubal is available. Why wouldn’t we be making that phone call 

[moonslav59]

14 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

Fix the rotation after crochet and bello and this is a playoff team!  
The better the rotation, the further into the playoffs we go! 
 

if (big if) skubal is available. Why wouldn’t we be making that phone call 

I think we need a big bat or two as well as another ace, and I'm not against getting Skubal, but Detroit went farther than we did, this year and will not want prospects for Skubal.

What worries me about Skubal is the one year of control. (Est arb of about $20M)

I don't want to narrow our window from 3-5 years to one.

I'm not sure the DET & BOS goals match up.

Teams like PIT, MIA and MIN do..

I think we will be looking at Keller, Alcantara, Lopez or Ryan and if rumors about Cincy are true maybe Lodolo or Greene. Maybe we look to sign Merrill Kelly, Nick Martinez, Bassitt or _____?

[mvp 78]

20 hours ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Skenes and Skubal are pipe dreams.  The asks would start with Anthony and Early.

One year of Skubal is not worth Roman Anthony. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

50 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

One year of Skubal is not worth Roman Anthony. 

One Anthony in the batting order is not worth trading Boston's next best four prospects for another pitcher.

For the Sox to truly compete, they need at least three Anthonys: Roman Anthony, Anthony Anthony, and Lia Anthony.

[notin]

20 hours ago, Larry Cook said:

And how do you if you do not ask?  Or are you privy to the inner workings of the Pittsburgh organization? 

I don’t think one has to sit in on meetings with Cherington to know that he isn’t dealing Skenes for that package, just like I don’t need to have a phone conversation with Breslow to know he isn’t dealing Anthony.

Skenes would be one of the most valuable trade chips in all of MLB.  Safe bet Cherington treats him as one…

[notin]

20 hours ago, Larry Cook said:

Fix the rotation after crochet and bello and this is a playoff team!  
 

They weren’t one last season?

[mvp 78]

5 minutes ago, notin said:

They weren’t one last season?

I remember they played a one game series that Crochet was in, but then nothing happened after. Very weird. 

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

One year of Skubal is not worth Roman Anthony. 

Agreed, but what if he agreed to an extension as part of the deal at $30M x 6?

I'd probably still say no.

[mvp 78]

3 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Agreed, but what if he agreed to an extension as part of the deal at $30M x 6?

I'd probably still say no.

Who cares? You're still trading one year of Roman for DET's one year of Skubal. Just wait until he hits FA or get a cheaper deal. 

[moonslav59]

54 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Who cares? You're still trading one year of Roman for DET's one year of Skubal. Just wait until he hits FA or get a cheaper deal. 

I'd care a lot if it was one year vs 7 years of Skubal.

I mentioned the Crochet deal was borderline bad, if we never extended him.

[drewski6]

On 10/18/2025 at 11:12 AM, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Agreed. Why would Minnesota want Duran in any package for Ryan? They're not going anywhere with Duran, especially if they're trading their best pitcher.

If the Twins didn't think Tolle, Password and Arias were enough at the deadline, adding Duran wasn't going to change their minds. 

And now that everyone's seen Early in action in the majors, everyone will ask for him this winter. Expect the price for a Ryan to include Tolle and Early...

... and Breslow may just decide to hang onto his minimum wage starters for a team he's building around pitching -- especially since the Sox' woefully inadequate batting order needs way too many reinforcements to legitimately compete for "a deep run in October."

"Baseball trade, old school. As in a need for a need. One team doesnt have to be buying , one team doesnt have to be selling. Its rare, but plenty of time until deadline. Baseball trade! Old school!"

(and it would not come to pass)

Dumb and a time waster.  Real trades are teams trying to win now negotiating with teams trying to win later. Especially mid-season.  Obvs there are change of scenary deals and contract dumps.  But yes, a team looking to get Duran is not looking to trade their ace. Duran gives you a 2-3 window. Duh.

[Dirtywater433]

Would like to see a trade of Jarren Duran for Isaac Paredes. 

Paredes has over a 50 percent pull percentage in his career for a RHB. Ideal fit for Fenway. Can play first base or third base. 

Houston's CF production was bad last year. Fills a need for a need for both teams.