The Red Sox are on the cusp of a significant improvement in their roster, with just one more trade potentially making them a stronger team than last year's. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, when asked about the current roster's strength, highlighted the pitching improvements as crucial. He emphasized the impact of dominant starting pitching, which provides a sense of security and confidence in the team's ability to win, regardless of the opponent.
The Red Sox have made substantial gains in their starting rotation, with free agent signing Ranger Suárez showcasing an impressive 1.48 ERA in 11 postseason outings. Suárez, along with Garrett Crochet, forms a formidable 1-2 punch at the top of any postseason series. Additionally, Sonny Gray, acquired through a trade, has also performed well in a smaller sample size, with a 3.26 ERA in six starts.
The team's depth at starting pitching is unprecedented, with 14 players on their 40-man roster. However, the loss of Bregman to the Cubs in free agency is a setback for the lineup and infield defense. To address this, Breslow is considering a trade for a complete player like Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner, who has been in recent trade rumors.
Hoerner's performance last year, with a .297 batting average and 17 defensive runs saved, while winning a Gold Glove, makes him an ideal target for Breslow. Breslow's strategy should be to make a bold move, focusing on defense as much as offense.
The Red Sox needed to add two hitters this offseason, and the trade addition of Willson Contreras should help replace Bregman's right-handed production. Manager Alex Cora has already identified Contreras as the cleanup hitter. With one more impact hitter, the 2026 offense should surpass last year's performance, at least on paper.
Bregman's production is replaceable, and Breslow has upgraded first base defense with Contreras, who ranked in the 91st percentile in outs above average among big league first baseman. However, infield defense remains a concern, especially with the current incomplete roster.
The infield defense situation requires patience until the roster is complete. Marcelo Mayer has the potential to be a plus defender at third or second base, depending on the roster's final composition. Trevor Story, despite a down season defensively, is expected to improve after a challenging first full season back from surgeries.
Breslow's final trade should focus on an infielder who can significantly impact both offense and defense. This move is necessary and achievable without compromising the farm system or the big league roster. The current roster is on track to match last year's 89-win total, and one more significant move could elevate them to a 93+ win team.
