Sox needs for 2026 step forward

[Randy Red Sox]

The Sox may be on the right path but there are a number of moves they need to make this offseason if they truly want to compete for a WS. This year's team while much improved is a long way away from a WS title. Moves they need to make for 2026 in no particular order.

1} Add another #2 SP type and Bello will be fine as a #3.0

2} teach Tolle a good breaking pitch that has some separation from his 98 MPH FB.

3} Figure out who is going to be the everyday 2B

4} Improve the C depth

5} trade from the so-called OF depth we apparently have. Rafaela, Duran, and Abreu combined were 1/26 with 11k's.  Simply brutal. at least 2 of those 3 need to bed traded.

[Behindenemylines]

On 10/3/2025 at 1:44 AM, Randy Red Sox said:

The Sox may be on the right path but there are a number of moves they need to make this offseason if they truly want to compete for a WS. This year's team while much improved is a long way away from a WS title. Moves they need to make for 2026 in no particular order.

1} Add another #2 SP type and Bello will be fine as a #3.0

2} teach Tolle a good breaking pitch that has some separation from his 98 MPH FB.

3} Figure out who is going to be the everyday 2B

4} Improve the C depth

5} trade from the so-called OF depth we apparently have. Rafaela, Duran, and Abreu combined were 1/26 with 11k's.  Simply brutal. at least 2 of those 3 need to bed traded.

If Story ops out you are looking at issues with every infield positions. Wong was hurt the whole year so it explains his decline. I think catcher is the least of their problems. I agree with points 1 and 2, but number 5 I have questions with.

[mvp 78]

14 hours ago, Behindenemylines said:

If Story ops out you are looking at issues with every infield positions. Wong was hurt the whole year so it explains his decline. I think catcher is the least of their problems. I agree with points 1 and 2, but number 5 I have questions with.

Story will be going into his 33 season and played an awful SS this year. If he opts out, it's a blessing for the Sox. 

[moonslav59]

5 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Story will be going into his 33 season and played an awful SS this year. If he opts out, it's a blessing for the Sox. 

We could then afford Bichette (maybe Mayer at SS & Bichette at 2B.)

[mvp 78]

12 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

We could then afford Bichette (maybe Mayer at SS & Bichette at 2B.)

Not sure that helps with their power outage or defensive issues. 

[moonslav59]

40 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Not sure that helps with their power outage or defensive issues. 

True. He's about even with Story on HRs, but counting age projection might be a slight uptick. We'd still need to add major power at the corner IF position.

2025 ISO:

.170 Story (.168 2022-2024) Turns 33 in NOV

.172 Bichette (.162 '22-'24) Turns 28 in March

SLG

.433 Story (.415 '22-'24)

.483 Bichette (.453 '22-'24)

[mvp 78]

28 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

True. He's about even with Story on HRs, but counting age projection might be a slight uptick. We'd still need to add major power at the corner IF position.

2025 ISO:

.170 Story (.168 2022-2024) Turns 33 in NOV

.172 Bichette (.162 '22-'24) Turns 28 in March

SLG

.433 Story (.415 '22-'24)

.483 Bichette (.453 '22-'24)

IDK if his SLG will get much higher, his launch angle is pretty low. 

[notin]

2 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

IDK if his SLG will get much higher, his launch angle is pretty low. 

For only the cost of some yellow paint, the Sox can change the Fenway ground rules and add a home run line to the Green Monster just above the scoreboard.  
 

Much cheaper than signing Pete Alonso…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

2 minutes ago, notin said:

For only the cost of some yellow paint, the Sox can change the Fenway ground rules and add a home run line to the Green Monster just above the scoreboard.  
 

Much cheaper than signing Pete Alonso…

I like it -- and above the scoreboard, cut out a chunk of the wall and insert a couple rows of seats in the shape of a grin; the ladder's already installed for fans to climb up and down, and Henry gets to increase attendance for more profits to buy cigars... and pay for all the home run balls it will cost him.

Then next winter Sam Kennedy will announce they'll be painting two big eyeballs near the top of the Monster, with a contest to decide what awards batters will get if they hit either target (ex: automatic two-run homer, but they have to circle the bases twice).

[moonslav59]

25 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

IDK if his SLG will get much higher, his launch angle is pretty low. 

He should stay above Story going forward and being 5 years younger. Some players gain power as they pass ages 27-28, but even if he stays even, he should be higher than a 33 year old Story.

Story is likely a better defensive 2Bman.

[drewski6]

3 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Story will be going into his 33 season and played an awful SS this year. If he opts out, it's a blessing for the Sox. 

i mean, didnt he lead us in hr, rbi, hits?

Im not sure i want to be in a position where story, breg opt out, duran is traded for pitching, and our hitting falls off after RA leading off.

[drewski6]

3 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

We could then afford Bichette (maybe Mayer at SS & Bichette at 2B.)

you dont know this.  inflation , bruh.

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, drewski6 said:

i mean, didnt he lead us in hr, rbi, hits?

Im not sure i want to be in a position where devers is dumped, story, breg opt out, duran is traded for pitching, and our hitting falls off after RA leading off.

I fixed it for you.

[Larry Cook]

Do we really need to trade an outfielder? 

Anthony, rafeala, Duran, abreau in Boston. Garcia, Eaton and Campbell in Worcester. 
 

Maybe the outfield is too left handed hitting, but in theory the pieces fit fine as we are today!! 
 

plus if we trade/dfa yoshida, the DH spot opens up for additional at bats. (Fyi: Schrawber or Alonso could require a plan alteration, if they sign here) 
 

now, if we resign refsynder, that should be convincing evidence that bres-slow is trading one of our existing outfielders! 

[moonslav59]

17 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

Do we really need to trade an outfielder? 

Anthony, rafeala, Duran, abreau in Boston. Garcia, Eaton and Campbell in Worcester. 
 

Maybe the outfield is too left handed hitting, but in theory the pieces fit fine as we are today!! 
 

plus if we trade/dfa yoshida, the DH spot opens up for additional at bats. (Fyi: Schrawber or Alonso could require a plan alteration, if they sign here) 
 

now, if we resign refsynder, that should be convincing evidence that bres-slow is trading one of our existing outfielders! 

When you have 3-4 major need areas and 6+ OF'er, yes, you trade one.

[Larry Cook]

39 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

When you have 3-4 major need areas and 6+ OF'er, yes, you 

[Larry Cook]

42 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

When you have 3-4 major need areas and 6+ OF'er, yes, you trade one.

So you are implying that bres-slow should, in theory, be able to trade an outfielder, to fill a major need area! 
Is that the only reason you think we need to trade an outfielder??  
 

because reality says bres-slow traded for an ace, one of the best pitchers in the major league, last off season and did not sacrifice anybody off the the major league roster! 
 

also, what major need area could any of our outfielders be used to procure in a 1 for 1 trade????
The alternative is our trading block outfielder would just a be a piece in a trade package to fill a major need item, but are there better options than a current Boston outfielder in the trade package?  Ie: wouldn’t Tolle or early be more enticing to a team, because all teams need pitching, than a current Boston outfielder? 
 

I think people perceive we have a surplus of Boston outfielders, but keeping them all is also a viable option!!  

[notin]

1 hour ago, Larry Cook said:

Do we really need to trade an outfielder? 

Anthony, rafeala, Duran, abreau in Boston. Garcia, Eaton and Campbell in Worcester. 
 

Maybe the outfield is too left handed hitting, but in theory the pieces fit fine as we are today!! 
 

plus if we trade/dfa yoshida, the DH spot opens up for additional at bats. (Fyi: Schrawber or Alonso could require a plan alteration, if they sign here) 
 

now, if we resign refsynder, that should be convincing evidence that bres-slow is trading one of our existing outfielders! 

Presumably one of Duran or Abreu gets dealt.  Pros and cons to both of them.  
 

Teams that need OF help and are unlikely to pursue Kyle Tucker include Kansas City, Cleveland and Houston.  Philadelphia also could use an OF assuming they don’t get Tucker…

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

So you are implying that bres-slow should, in theory, be able to trade an outfielder, to fill a major need area! 
Is that the only reason you think we need to trade an outfielder??  
 

because reality says bres-slow traded for an ace, one of the best pitchers in the major league, last off season and did not sacrifice anybody off the the major league roster! 
 

also, what major need area could any of our outfielders be used to procure in a 1 for 1 trade????
The alternative is our trading block outfielder would just a be a piece in a trade package to fill a major need item, but are there better options than a current Boston outfielder in the trade package?  Ie: wouldn’t Tolle or early be more enticing to a team, because all teams need pitching, than a current Boston outfielder? 
 

I think people perceive we have a surplus of Boston outfielders, but keeping them all is also a viable option!!  

If you want us to fall short again, yes hold onto 8 OF'ers, while we watch guys like Toro at 1B, DHam at 2B, whoever is Mayer's back up at 3B and four #5's behind Crochet.

We may find a one for one trade, like maybe Duran for Lodolo, but most of my suggest OF trades involve Duran + others for a solid #2 SP'er.

The idea is that the "step down" from Duran to Anthony might not even be a step down, but the step up from Crawford to Ryan or Lodolo is a major boost.

And, we aren't trading Yoshida so Duran can DH. Duran's value on another team as an OF'er is worth more than to us at DH. That's basically the impetus for a trade.

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, notin said:

Presumably one of Duran or Abreu gets dealt.  Pros and cons to both of them.  
 

Teams that need OF help and are unlikely to pursue Kyle Tucker include Kansas City, Cleveland and Houston.  Philadelphia also could use an OF assuming they don’t get Tucker…

The Yanks and several other teams need an OF'er, too.

I get the point that we aren't likely getting a solid #2 SP'er for Duran or Abreu, but we have more we can offer.

We could go lighter and look to trade JG Garcia or Campbell, but an OF'er will be traded, this winter- maybe two. Remember, these guys had (still have?) visions of Yoshida in LF.

I think we learn from the mistake of omission last winter. This time we do trade an OF'er.

[Larry Cook]

3 hours ago, notin said:

Presumably one of Duran or Abreu gets dealt. 

Why? We have no problem keeping them. We have enough at bat opportunities for every outfielder currently on the roster. 
 

why are you presuming we need to trade any outfielder away? 

[moonslav59]

9 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

Why? We have no problem keeping them. We have enough at bat opportunities for every outfielder currently on the roster. 
 

why are you presuming we need to trade any outfielder away? 

Why do you presume we can trade Yoshida to make room for Duran at DH?

Why do we want to play Duran at DH when another team values him way more in the OF?

One can argue Abreu is ready to not be platooned, and since he and Duran are LHBs, they are duplicated. Campbell and Garcia are, too. We only need one more RHB OF- not two.

The idea is to trade from strength and depth to fill bigger needs. You look at who you replace the traded guy with and measure the value differential and compare the value gained at the position you trade for vs who would have played there without the trade.

Here is an example: we trade Duran for Lodolo.

How much do we lose playing Rafaela, Abreu, Garcia/Campbell in the OF, instead of Duran? (I'm assuming Anthony plays FT.)

Now, how much better is Lodolo over Crawford or Dobbins? (That's who would be bounced from the rotation.) Now, on top of that, adding Lodolo to a rotation that goes 10+ deep, now allows us to trade someone like Harrison, Crawford, Dobbins or Harrison for an upgrade somewhere else (like 2B, 1B, 3B.)

I'm fine with not wanting to trade Abreu or Duran, but I think the logic is there to see why.

We could also decide to trade Rafaela, Garcia or Campbell and still have 2 RHB OF'ers. The return will not be as great, but we do keep the best 3 offensive OF'ers. I guess trading Rafaela + Crawford/Dobbins/Harrison for Lodolo accomplishes the same conceptual plan, but with better O and worse OF D.

[notin]

1 hour ago, Larry Cook said:

Why? We have no problem keeping them. We have enough at bat opportunities for every outfielder currently on the roster. 
 

why are you presuming we need to trade any outfielder away? 

We do?  
 

The Sox have 4 starting outfielders not counting the guy limited to DH.  
 

Having 4 starting OFs isnt a bad thing, but it’s not ideal when you only have 2 starting infielders…

[mvp 78]

19 hours ago, drewski6 said:

i mean, didnt he lead us in hr, rbi, hits?

Im not sure i want to be in a position where story, breg opt out, duran is traded for pitching, and our hitting falls off after RA leading off.

Story led the Sox in a few offensive categories, but he's trending downward and can no longer play SS. He's not worth his contract. 

[drewski6]

59 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Story led the Sox in a few offensive categories, but he's trending downward and can no longer play SS. He's not worth his contract. 

Lets see what bichette signs for before we declare that story isnt worth his contract.  My fear is that the new go-forward is that anybody who is a bona fide major leaguer signed to a contract under 400m is a bargain*

*Until the yankees, dodgers, phils, toronto run out of spots

But Im not sure i wanna live in that world where we wait for the big dogs to finish eating before we attack the scraps.

I hope story does NOT opt out for a reason that ive previously said

Death....taxes......and.....inflation bruh

[drewski6]

and now ive talked myself into liking breslow locking up the young guys because.....inflation bruh

i change my mind a lot, sue me

[moonslav59]

If we knew Story would be our starting 2Bman next season (even 3B would be better than SS,) I'm fine with him returning. It's not ideal having him return as the FT SS, but with Mayer as the second best other infielder on the current roster, and his injury history, we should be careful what we wish for.

Do we really want to go into the winter counting on JH allowing Brez to spend enough to fill 3 infield positions adequately, let alone with high quality players?

[mvp 78]

8 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Do we really want to go into the winter counting on JH allowing Brez to spend enough to fill 3 infield positions adequately, let alone with high quality players?

Yes.

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Yes.

You are actually counting on this?

My guess is they count on Mayer to be a FT 3B/2B, or SS if Story bolts, and if he does bolt, they count on Romy-DHam to fill 2B. They probably won't bring Lowe back for 1B, but it would not shock me, especially if it's not at the projected arb rate. Hell, they may even count on Casas (Romy/Campbell) to fill 1B. They won't be adding 3 quality infielders. Book it.

[notin]

What would be the most surprising yet realistic move the Sox might make this off-season?  Obviously signing Tucker would be the most surprising, but I am calling it unrealistic.

From a realistic standpoint, maybe trading Bello would have surprised me a couple days ago.  Now I’m thinking it feels very likely (based on nothing)…