The Boston Red Sox opened the 2025 MLB season on a high note, picking up a 5-2 win over the Texas Rangers on Opening Day. Unfortunately, it's been downhill from there as the Red Sox's record has since dropped to 1-3 with three straight losses to the Rangers, largely due to an offense that only mustered six total runs along the way.
Needless to say, it hasn't been the start to the new season that the Red Sox have envisioned. Although there's plenty of time to turn things around, the club's slow start is likely bad news for a handful of players — including these three Boston veterans who likely just played their final Opening Day with the team.
1. Rafael Devers, DH
Nobody would be surprised if Rafael Devers is no longer with the Red Sox after the 2025 season. The veteran slugger created headlines in spring training due to his less-than-enthusiastic reaction towards free-agent signing Alex Bregman stealing the former's starting third base job.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora worked hard to smooth out the situation, and it seemed like Devers eventually came around to the idea of being the designated hitter. After all, he's more than proven that he can handle DH duties after amassing 200 home runs and 638 RBIs in the eight previous seasons.
Fast forward through the season-opening series, and Devers is off to one of the worst starts in big-league history. The three-time All-Star is currently hitless through his first 16 at-bats while his 12 strikeouts along the way have set the record for the most through four games in MLB history.
The Red Sox admitted in early March that Devers was having issues with his timing at the plate, and it's clear that they've yet to be resolved. It's beginning to appear as if the 28-year-old left-handed bat isn't the player that he once was, which might be hard for Boston officials to stomach given that he's signed through 2033 with $284 million remaining on his contract.
If Devers can't reverse course by proving that he's worth every penny of his deal, it wouldn't be shocking if the Red Sox attempted to trade him during the offseason.
2. Trevor Story, SS
Unfortunately, Devers isn't the only big-money Red Sox veteran who's off to a horrid start to the 2025 campaign.
Trevor Story is another key player who struggled at the plate throughout the season-opening series. The two-time Silver Slugger finished the Rangers series with a 1-for-11 record (.091) at the plate, striking out three times while recording a putrid .258 OPS. His struggles got to the point where the Red Sox left him on the bench for Sunday's series finale.
The slow start is another example of Story failing to live up to the six-year, $140 million contract he signed three years ago. It doesn't help that injuries already had the 32-year-old shortstop's outlook up in the air after having made only 163 appearances in the three previous seasons. Instead of capitalizing on his health, he's done the opposite to end March.
After making $22.5 million this season, Story's salary will rise to $25 million in the next two seasons before the Red Sox must decide on his 2028 team option. Although he'd be worth the price if he was performing as his prime self, that isn't the case as long as his offensive and health-related struggles persist.
Much like Devers, don't be surprised if Story shipped out of town if he can't turn things around.
3. Tanner Houck, RHP
The Red Sox didn't get the best pitching performance in their first 2025 series, and veteran righty Tanner Houck helped contribute to those struggles.
Houck was on the mound for Friday's 4-1 loss to the Rangers. The 28-year-old starter surrendered four earned runs and two homers on seven hits while also issuing three walks in 5 2/3 innings of work. He only recorded two strikeouts across the 89 pitches he threw, which isn't the type of performance the Red Sox expected after he made his first All-Star appearance last season.
If Houck can't turn things around, the Red Sox could explore a trade — whether it's before the deadline or during the offseason. The 6-foot-5 starter is only 28 years old and under team control through 2027, which is a combination that could entice suitors who believe they can rehab his image.
Houck is also expendable after the Red Sox added the likes of Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler over the offseason. Throw in the fact that starters Lucas Giolito, Bryan Bello, Patrick Sandoval, and Kutter Crawford should return from the injured list sooner rather than later, and it's clear that Boston can afford to move on from Houck if his performance doesn't improve.