Three Offseason Moves the Red Sox Should Male

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October 3, 2025

The Boston Red Sox 2025 season is officially over after an AL Wildcard loss to the New York Yankees. Although a brutal end to the season, this was definitely a great season for the Red Sox, and one that can be built off of. Here are some offseason moves the Red Sox can make to possibly make a better run in 2026.

Trading for Ryan

Despite an effort during this past trade deadline, they couldn’t make an enticing enough offer for Minnesota Twins all-star Joe Ryan. Although the Red Sox were willing to give up the likes of Jhostynxon Garcia, it’s unclear who else the Red Sox were willing to give up, and who they were unwilling to part with.

If nothing else, they need to finish the job and complete a trade for the 2025 all-star. As much as Lucas Giolito was key to the rotation last year, it’s unclear whether or not he can repeat the same success from 2025. Tanner Houck will miss the entire 2026 season recovering from Tommy John surgery over the summer. The Red Sox should make he trade so they don’t have to force someone like Payton Tolle or Connelly Early to eat significant innings until they’re ready.

They have four top 100 prospects, and other interesting prospects like outfielder Justin Gonzalez and left-hander Brandon Clarke. They have desirable assets, so why not trade them for a quality number two starter.

Need a Power Bat

The 2021 season saw the Red Sox make a trade deadline rental with the Washington Nationals. That move brought none other than Kyle Schwarber to the Red Sox. Despite mashing in Boston, to the tune of a 155 OPS+ in the regular season, the Red Sox let him sign with the Philadelphia Phillies for a four-year contract.

Four years later, the Phillies haven’t given him an extension, and he is set to test free agency. The Red Sox should do what they failed to do four years ago, and make him a fixture of their lineup for years to come. Schwarber has averaged 46 home runs and 108 RBI a season since heading to the nation’s original capital, while playing 150+ games each season.

Better yet, they should try and sign a power bat. Trevor Story led the way with 25 long balls for the Red Sox. Not since Mookie Betts in 2017 did their home run leader in a season have less. For context, David Ortiz retired the season before and not until 2018 did J.D. Martinez join the frame. Even then, the Red Sox had more 20+ home run guys back in 2017 than they did this year. Only Story and Wilyer Abreu had 20 or more this season.

They should make a deal for a guy like Schwarber, Marcell Ozuna or Eugenio Suarez to be a designated hitter in place of Masataka Yoshida. Hell, if Pete Alonso opts out, it would be nice to at least see them in the race for him. Although, it might be more of a pipedream given Steve Cohen’s propensity of paying a lot of money. Either way, the Red Sox are in desperate need of power.

Deepen the Bullpen

The bullpen was in a weird spot in 2025. The Boston Red Sox top four relievers were usually reliable. However, besides that, it was a huge question mark. Greg Weissert, despite being very good early on, regressed a little bit as the season went on.

They still have a base of Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten for next year. Zack Kelly will be someone to keep an eye on. Since getting called back up in September, Kelly had a 2.84 ERA in the month of September, while getting thrust into key situations. Chris Murphy had a similar tale, earning a 3.21 ERA since his September call up.

Despite this, there’s still plenty of room for improvement throughout. Make it so that whoever you go to, goose eggs will be produced.