8 Free Agents Red Sox Need to Target This Offseason

After missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season and fifth time in six seasons, the Boston Red Sox once again enter a pivotal offseason. With Red Sox fans still feeling the scars of last offseason's unfulfilled "full throttle" promise, rumors of an aggressive offseason from Craig Breslow and the front office have Sox fans cautiously optimistic.

Last month, Breslow hinted at a shift in the organizational philosophy towards a win-now mentality while appearing on Baseball Isn't Boring with Rob Bradford:

"I think we are preparing for that to be the case. We are preparing to be more decisive, more aggressive. To field a team that is capable of winning the division, making a deep playoff run… That was the tone that (team president) Sam (Kennedy) struck. That is the messaging I am getting throughout the organization, that it is time to deliver to our fans the teams they have come to expect."

Red Sox CBO Craig Breslow

With a stacked farm system consisting of top prospects Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, Kristian Campbell, and Kyle Teel, the Red Sox also have the ability to flip some of their younger players for MLB-level talent. Boston's front office could be looking at a mix of trades and free agency to enhance their 2025 roster.

The lack of free agency spending has been a common (and fair) gripe among Red Sox Nation. MLB writer Travis Sawchik of The Score compiled a "scrooge index", which evaluated each owner based on the team's payroll and revenue. Per Sawchik's index, the Red Sox rank as the fifth-cheapest team in baseball. For the third-most valuable franchise in baseball, Boston's lack of spending (and subsequent playoff-less seasons), ownership needs to re-grasp the correlation between spending and winning.

If Breslow is being truthful about pursuing an aggressive offseason – and ownership agrees – then the front office will likely be turning their attention to a strong free agency class. As the Red Sox aim to break their playoff drought, here are eight free agents that Boston should target this offseason.

8. Sean Manaea

If the Red Sox are unable to land some of the bigger fish of 2025 free agency (Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell, Max Fried, Roki Sasaki) or are again reluctant to shell out significant cash in free agency, Manaea could be a fallback plan at a lower price.

Manaea, 32, opted out of his contract with the New York Mets on Nov. 2. Manaea's 2025 deal with the Mets would have paid him $13.5 million, so a bidder would expectedly have to exceed that value or term to land the southpaw.

Manaea – who once no-hit the Red Sox in 2018 as a member of the Oakland Athletics – has been listed as a fit for Boston. He recorded a 12-6 record in 32 starts for the Mets in 2024 – posting a 3.47 ERA with 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

Much has been made of Manaea tweaking his mechanics (ironically emulating former Boston ace Chris Sale), and that could help explain how he posted the best regular season of his career at 32 years old. It will be interesting to see if teams buy into the idea that Manaea struck gold with the mechanics tweak or if they view his 2024 campaign as an aberration.

If the Red Sox aren't willing to pay top dollar, Manaea could be a tier two option to upgrade the rotation, similarly to the team's signing of Lucas Giolito last offseason. Notably, Boston's starting pitching is dependent on right-handed arms. If the front office wants to mix it up with a southpaw, Manaea could be in play.

7. Tanner Scott

Tanner Scott isn't a player that has really been linked to Boston, but the Red Sox should check in on the reliever after the struggles of their bullpen in 2024.

Closer Kenley Jansen is almost certainly gone after two seasons in Boston, and veteran Chris Martin is also an unrestricted free agent. The Red Sox only converted 56.3% of their save opportunities in 2024 – the third-worst mark in baseball. The bullpen inadequacies from the 2024 Sox left wins on the field.

Scott, 30, earned his first All-Star nod this season by holding opponents to a 1.75 ERA in 72 appearances. The southpaw struck out opposing hitters at a 10.5 K/9 rate in a season split between the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres. Brennan Bernardino is Boston's only currently rostered MLB left-handed reliever, so Scott would also be valuable for Alex Cora in the matchup game.

The Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Yankees are listed as the best fits by MLB.com to land Scott in free agency.

6. Roki Sasaki

Last offseason, the Boston Red Sox made a push to sign Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto – reportedly offering at least $300 million to bring the superstar stateside.

There is an important distinction between the Yamamoto sweepstakes last offseason and the race for Sasaki this offseason. The process for Japanese players to come to MLB can seem quite complicated – but in Sasaki's case, the best summary is this: it cannot be a bidding war.

Due to Sasaki's age (23) and the fact that he has not yet accrued six years of service time in a foreign league recognized by MLB, Sasaki's contract is limited by international bonus pool restrictions. This situation played out when Shohei Ohtani initially came to MLB in Dec. 2017. Ohtani, then 23 years old, only received a bonus of $2.315 million from the Los Angeles Angels. Sasaki's first MLB payday will fall far short of the 12-year, $325 million deal that Yamamoto signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Francys Romero reported in early October that the Red Sox were one of four teams that had traveled to Japan to scout Sasaki (along with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and New York Mets. At that time, the industry consensus was that Sasaki would likely not be posted this offseason. Now that his posting is a certainty, surely more suitors have entered the mix.

Sasaki has been sensational in Japan. The right-hander throws a fastball that tops out at 102.5 MPH, and has compiled a 30-15 record with a 2.02 ERA and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings in Japan. In 2022, Sasaki threw 17 straight perfect innings while striking out 33 batters – including 13 straight.

Bob Nightengale put the Dodgers' odds at landing Sasaki at 98 percent, and ESPN's Buster Olney reported that "30 out of 30 teams believe he's going to the Dodgers." Still, there has been some pushback on that notion, and the Red Sox have to at least pick up the phone.

5. Teoscar Hernandez

Outfielder Teoscar Hernandez was linked to the Boston Red Sox last season before eventually signing a one-year deal with the world-champion Los Angeles Dodgers. All signs this offseason support the idea that the Red Sox will be in the mix again to acquire Hernandez's services.

According to Hernandez, Craig Breslow and the Red Sox lowballed him last offseason, offering a two-year deal worth $28 million. Hernandez's one-year deal with the Dodgers was worth $23.5 million. The 32-year-old bet on himself by signing a one-year deal – a bet that paid off as Hernandez hit .272/.339/.501 with 33 home runs and 99 RBI.

Hernandez has been open about his fondness for the Red Sox, but he also acknowledges the business.

"At the end of the day, I love the Red Sox and it was one of my favorite teams. At the end of the day I have to make what is best for me and my career and my family."

Teoscar Hernandez

The Red Sox have been listed as a fit for Hernandez again this offseason, assuming that no bad blood remains from Boston's front office's lowball offer last year. Sox fans should also be excited at the fact that the former Toronto Blue Jay has raked at Fenway Park in his career. In 44 games at Fenway, Hernandez is hitting .287 with 14 home runs and 44 RBI.

The Red Sox could lose outfielder Tyler O'Neill in free agency, opening the door for Hernandez to join Boston's outfield. The Red Sox elected not to extend a $21.05 million qualifying offer to O'Neill earlier this month, allowing the 29-year-old to hit free agency without any draft pick compensation attached. Playing his first season in Boston, O'Neill led the Red Sox with 31 home runs.

Only eight home runs shy of 200 for his career, Hernandez would be a great fit in Boston. After missing out on him last offseason, the Red Sox should be in on the three-time Silver Slugger again this time around.

4. Max Fried

Southpaw Max Fried is slated to hit free agency after eight seasons with the Atlanta Braves. Fried has a career record of 73-36 with a 3.07 ERA and 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings. The 30-year-old is a two-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner, and has twice finished in the top five of the National League Cy Young voting.

In 2024, Fried made 29 starts with an 11-10 record with a 3.25 ERA and 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings.

Interestingly, Fried played high school baseball with current Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito at Harvard-Westlake School in California. On an episode of Baseball Isn't Boring with Rob Bradford, Giolito addressed this, insinuating that he might be participating in a bit of recruiting with Fried. Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty was also a member of that Harvard-Westlake team and is a free agent that the Red Sox expressed some interest in last offseason.

The Red Sox have been linked to a trade for Chicago White Sox southpaw Garrett Crochet, and if Boston does pull off a trade for Crochet, their interest in Fried would likely greatly diminish. As currently constructed, the lack of left-handed pitching in the Red Sox rotation makes Fried a fit.

Former MLB general manager and executive Jim Bowden, now with The Athletic, projected a six-year, $174 million deal for Fried. MLB.com lists the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, and Texas Rangers as potential fits to acquire Fried's services.

3. Blake Snell

Snell, one of only seven pitchers in MLB history to capture both the American League and National League Cy Young Award, didn't catch quite the attention last offseason as a free agent that he and agent Scott Boras were looking for. Coming off of a 2023 Cy Young season, Snell ultimately signed a two-year, $62 million deal with the San Francisco Giants in March 2024. Following his lone season with the Giants, Snell opted out of the second year of his deal on Nov. 1.

Per MLB insider Jeff Passan, the Red Sox have been talking to Snell, who turns 32 next month. The lefty put up a strong season in San Francisco. In 20 starts, the lefty posted a 5-3 record with a 3.12 ERA and a career-high 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings. However, a closer review reveals that after Snell returned from injury on July 9, he was absolutely dominant – recording a 5-0 record with a 1.23 ERA in his last 14 starts.

Last offseason, Snell was also tied to draft pick compensation, which is not the case this offseason. Concerns about sacrificing a draft pick and perhaps worries, if Snell was entering the back nine of his career, might have tamed his free agent market that time around. In the second half of 2024, Snell proved that he still has Cy Young-caliber stuff, so his market could heat up a bit more this time around.

Snell's agent, Scott Boras, is notorious for dragging negotiations out close to Opening Day (hence Snell signing on March 19 last offseason), so it will also be interesting to see how patient the Red Sox are willing to be as they build out their 2025 roster.

2. Corbin Burnes

Burnes, the 2021 National League Cy Young Award Winner, will hit free agency for the first time in his career this offseason. The 30-year-old has established himself as an ace and one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball, and will undoubtedly be looking for a contract that values him as such.

Burnes is on track to finish top-10 in Cy Young voting for the fifth consecutive season after a season in which he went 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA and 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings for the Baltimore Orioles. Burnes spent the first six seasons of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers before the Orioles traded for him last offseason.

On Nov. 4, the Orioles extended a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer to Burnes. The hurler is expected to decline the offer, but Baltimore's decision to qualify him means should another team sign him, that team would owe the O's draft pick compensation. Given Burnes' pedigree and Boston's deep farm system, Craig Breslow should be willing to make that sacrifice.

Burnes is about as steady as they come, although his K/9 numbers have slightly dipped and his WHIP has increased over the last three seasons. The Red Sox need a bonafide ace in the vein of Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, and Chris Sale. Burnes could be that guy.

One MLB executive has projected Burnes' contract "in the range of six years and at least $175 million". MLB.com lists the Orioles, New York Mets, and Red Sox as three potential fits for the former Cy Young winner.

1. Juan Soto

Juan Soto hits this offseason as one of the most coveted free agents of all time. Soto has already racked up quite the list of accolades in his young career. The Dominican native is a four-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger winner, batting champion, and World Series champion at only 26 years old. With his sights already set on baseball immortality in Cooperstown, the courting of Soto will command baseball headlines over the next few months.

On Nov. 14, the Red Sox met with Soto and his representatives in Southern California with Boston team president Sam Kennedy, chairman Tom Werner, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, and manager Alex Cora. Per Sean McAdam of MassLive, the meeting was termed as "productive", although actual contract terms were not discussed and the meeting was "largely introductory and informational". Soto has also met with the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets, with the expectation of a meeting soon with the New York Yankees.

Since breaking in at 19 years old with the Washington Nationals in 2018, Soto has hit .285/.421/.532 with 201 home runs and 592 RBI. In 2024 with the New York Yankees, the outfielder hit .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs and 109 RBI.

On Nov. 16, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reported that the Red Sox could make the "largest bid in franchise history" in their pursuit of Soto:

"Yet given the potential of a centurion in the middle of the lineup, and one whose all-fields approach could be an incredible fit for 81 games at Fenway Park, the Sox seem willing to make the largest bid in franchise history."

Alex Speier of The Boston Globe

The largest free agency contract in Red Sox history belongs to David Price – who signed a seven-year, $217 million deal in 2015. Soto's deal could amount to nearly three times Price's deal. Per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the "general consensus" is that the floor for a Soto deal would be 10 years and $500 million. With competitive bidding among potential suitors, $600 million feels like a reasonable number. Mike Axisa of CBS Sports included a bold prediction that a 15-year, $720 million Soto deal might not be out of the question.

It is easy for the Red Sox to say that they want to be aggressive this offseason and that they are "willing to make the largest bid in franchise history", but will they balk when it comes time to actually talk numbers and write a check? Recent history suggests so, but the Red Sox are doing the right thing in conducting an initial pursuit of Soto. Now, the question becomes how long will that pursuit last?

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