The end of the 2025 MLB regular season is already here. The Boston Red Sox are playing in their final home series this Friday, where they'll be playing the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park to officially wrap up the 2025 regular season.
As this season is all but over, several members of the Red Sox roster are facing uncertain futures. Some have mutual options, others are recovering from injury or underperformance, and a few are (or have been) in trade rumors. With that in mind, here are five Boston players who are likely making their final Fenway Park appearances this weekend.
1. Lucas Giolito, RHP
Lucas Giolito has a vesting option for 2026, which is Boston's $14 million club option. However, Giolito passed 140 innings this season, which now bumps it up to $19 million for 2026, albeit a mutual option. MLB experts believe that he will decline this option and test the market in free agency, especially given that his career is closer to the end than its beginning..
Two years ago, Giolito was on the decline. He suffered a UCL injury that needed elbow surgery, taking him out for the entirety of the 2024 season. Many thought that he would be on the cusp of retirement if things didn't pan out for him, but the Red Sox were still willing to roll the dice.
Fast forward to now, when Giolito is 10-4 with a 3.43 ERA, striking out 118 batters in 25 starts. He's gone back to his 2021 mechanics, where he was using his slider and changeup combo and locating them well.
He's also projected to make over $60 million in a three-year contract, as Spotrac predicts. No way the Red Sox have the room or the willingness to spend that much money on him. They both know it.
2. Kutter Crawford, RHP
Kutter Crawford has had a rough 2025 season, starting on the injured list due to knee issues. Then, wrist problems ended his season as he required surgery to correct the issue, keeping him out of the Red Sox's lineup all year.
Crawford struck out 175 batters in 183 2/3 innings pitched in 2024, highlighting how important his arm was. But the Red Sox are nearing the Wild Card spot without him, which can make Boston hesitant to commit to him long-term.
Crawford potentially has some offseason trade value, as he's also under control for the next three seasons, hitting arbitration again. In fact, there should be no reason to keep him, given that the Red Sox already have a logjam without him and Tanner Houck in that rotation. It's been much better, with Payton Tolle, Kyle Harrison, Connelly Early, Brayan Bello, and Garrett Crochet all making an impact.
It sucks to see, but sometimes, baseball is business. Hopefully, Craig Breslow can do right by him and allow him an opportunity to shine.
3. Greg Weissert, RHP
Greg Weissert is definitely a good reliever, but the problem with him is that he's the epitome of anti-clutch, having nine blown saves on his season this year, which is a league-leading stat for him.
The good thing is, he's got a 2.92 ERA with 86 strikeouts and a 7-3 record on the season, so there's no doubt that opposing general managers will have an eye on him this offseason. Playing his cards right, Breslow could get a decent return in a trade.
Weissert is also under team control for another two seasons, which means he's not a big salary burden either. Given that, it seems like the Red Sox could trade him in a small package for another starter like Joe Ryan. It could be possible.
4. Wilyer Abreu, RF
Wilyer Abreu is on this list because he's been injury-prone all season long. Whether that's with his oblique, calf, or ankle, he's missed some good time this season, suiting up in only 109 of the Red Sox's156 games so far (69.9%).
Ironically enough, Abreu's injuries have also brought up his possible replacement, Roman Anthony, in one of those IL visits as well.
He's still proven himself worthy of a starting role this season with 22 home runs and a 5.5 HR rate, along with an OPS of .802 and an OPS+ of 120. The problem is he's inconsistent, especially when he's healthy. He still can't hit left-handed pitching, batting .182 against left-handed fastballs.
Abreu is not too pricey, still being under team control until 2030. That's amazing, with him having elite defense and being a power-hitting lefty. However, since he's eligible for arbitration, which he will most likely end up being under, the Red Sox may want to cut ties with him.
Throw in Alex Bregman's contract negotiations this offseason, and the Red Sox are seemingly willing to kill two birds with one stone here, as they'd want to get rid of that logjam and save some money, making Abreu the perfect candidate for a winter move.
5. Masataka Yoshida, DH
Masataka Yoshida is carrying a heavy contract, worth $37.2 million for the rest of his contract (two years left), being owed $18.1 million a season.
While it's not his full five-year, $90 million deal, it's still hefty for someone who was projected to be the next Ichiro Suzuki. After having labrum surgery, Yoshida just hasn't been the same since, slashing .250/.294/.341 with only two HRs and 22 RBIs in 49 games this season.
Having lower offensive output and being now a total liability on defense, Yoshida's total underperformance puts the Red Sox in a tricky spot. Perhaps Boston will have had enough this winter and opt to move on from his contract, especially if he doesn't consistently produce down the stretch.
Red Sox Have Offseason Decisions to Make
Of the five Red Sox listed, Abreu and Giolito look most likely to be playing their final home series in Boston this weekend.
Everyone knows how much manager Alex Cora loves Weissert, so he may not be moved for another year. Crawford, if not traded, may be trying to find a roster spot, but will most likely be unsuccessful and probably brought down to Triple-A to finish his contract. Yoshida will probably be a platoon bat like this year, but in a more reduced role.
Needless to say, Red Sox fans should expect to see some talent shedding for a better tomorrow.