Two New Major Red Sox Free Agent Targets Emerge

The Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has been one of the busiest men in baseball over the last couple of weeks. As the team continues its aggressive approach in free agency and the trade market, the Red Sox have been casting a wide net looking for roster upgrades. They made their big splash of the offseason lat week when they acquired left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox.

This move was criticized by some who think the Red Sox may have given too many assets to acquire Crochet. However, it signals that the front office means business this time around. This was later confirmed by Breslow hinting at more big-time signings.

Corbin Burnes and Sean Manaea are free agents whose names are regularly thrown around for potential targets. Luis Castillo is another name mentioned in the rumor mill as a potential trade target.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, however, reports that those names are not too likely when Walker Buehler and Jack Flaherty are still available.

Red Sox Rumors: Walker Buehler and Jack Flaherty Emerge As Top Targets

Breslow said last week that the Red Sox are looking for another starter and this report confirms that. Currently, Brayan Bello, Tanner Houck, Lucas Giolito, and Kutter Crawford make up the starting rotation behind Crochet. Even though that is a much-improved group from last year, adding another high-level starter like Flaherty or Buehler would take it to another level.

Flaherty is coming off a World Series win with the Dodgers after getting traded there at the deadline. In 10 starts there, he posted a 3.58 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. Buehler was similarly huge in the Dodgers' World Series win after coming off his second Tommy John surgery to start the 2024 campaign. A more experienced veteran, Buehler has a 3.27 ERA, a 47-22 record, and 754 strikeouts.

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