The Red Sox made a significant trade for Garrett Crochet, but roster improvements are still needed as they eye free agency and potential trades.
Boston: The Red Sox just made a big move by trading for Garrett Crochet from the White Sox. This lefty pitcher is a solid addition, but there are still some gaps in the roster that need filling.
Craig Breslow, the chief baseball officer, mentioned they’re on the lookout for more rotation help, right-handed hitters, and some bullpen support. They might still make some waves in free agency or even pull off another big trade.
So, what does the early 2025 roster look like? Well, it’s still a work in progress. For catchers, Connor Wong is likely to start, especially after the trade of Kyle Teel. Wong had a decent season last year, and they just picked up Carlos Narvaez from the Yankees as his backup.
At first base, Triston Casas is the guy for now, but he’s been in trade talks, so who knows? He might not be around when the season kicks off in Texas.
Second base is up for grabs. Vaughn Grissom and Kristian Campbell are the top contenders after the trade of Enmanuel Valdez. Grissom needs to step up, or Campbell might take his spot.
Shortstop is a bit shaky too. Trevor Story is under contract, but he’s had trouble staying healthy. David Hamilton could step in if needed, and there are other prospects like Ceddanne Rafaela and Marcelo Mayer who might get a shot.
Rafael Devers is a lock at third base for now, but if the Red Sox land a big name like Alex Bregman, he could be moved to first or DH.
The outfield is crowded, especially with Tyler O’Neill gone. Wilyer Abreu had a great rookie year, but he might be traded to make room for Roman Anthony, who’s ready to make his debut.
Masataka Yoshida is set to be the DH again, but he’s not the best fit for the lineup. The Red Sox might look to trade him or shift Devers to DH if they sign a big slugger.
On the pitching side, Crochet changes the game for the starting rotation, but they could still use another ace. Brayan Bello and Tanner Houck are solid, but they need more depth.
In the bullpen, they’ve added Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson, which should help. If Liam Hendriks can bounce back, they’ll have a strong relief squad.
Injuries are a concern too, with Garrett Whitlock and Chris Murphy both recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Red Sox have some work ahead to finalize their roster, but it’s shaping up to be an interesting season.