Are Red Sox done with their rotation shopping?
MLB.com is keeping track of all the latest free-agent and trade rumors involving the Red Sox right here.
Dec. 20: Sandoval addition unlikely to end Red Sox's search for another impact starter
The Red Sox on Friday agreed to terms on a two-year, $18.25 million contract with free agent lefty starter Patrick Sandoval on Friday, a source told MLB.com.
Boston's deal with Sandoval follows its blockbuster trade for ace lefty Garrett Crochet last week. However the club likely isn't done adding to its rotation, given Sandoval will miss at least the first few months of the 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June.
Following the Red Sox's acquisition of Crochet, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reported that they were continuing to explore the market for frontline arms, including free agent Corbin Burnes. Jack Flaherty may be another free-agent option for Boston, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. (subscription required). The Red Sox were interested in the right-hander last offseason before he signed on with the Tigers. Boston also reportedly talked to the Mariners about a trade for Luis Castillo, who has three years remaining on his five-year, $108 million deal (plus a $25 million vesting option for 2028), though it's unclear where those talks stand at this juncture.
MLB Trade Rumors projects Crochet, who has two seasons left before free agency, to earn $2.9 million in arbitration next year, so the Red Sox still have plenty of payroll flexibility to address their other needs, which also include at least one hitter.
Dec. 15: Red Sox among teams in mix for Bregman (source)
The Red Sox were reportedly one of the five teams who were vying for Juan Soto's services, but with Soto now on the Mets, they've been left to pivot to other options to fill their need for an impact bat.
One possibility for the Red Sox? Alex Bregman. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand hears that the Red Sox are one of the teams pursuing the top third baseman on the market. However, according to Morosi, Boston is interested in having Bregman play second base, which would keep Rafael Devers at the hot corner.
The Red Sox could also look at acquiring an outfielder. A source told Feinsand previously that the Red Sox were intending to pursue Teoscar Hernández if they were unable to sign Soto. Per Morosi, Boston is also among the clubs showing "strong interest" in Anthony Santander, another big-ticket outfielder in the market. However, Feinsand hears that Boston prefers Hernández over the switch-hitting Santander.
Hernández played for the Dodgers this past season and enjoyed a banner year with Los Angeles, highlighted by a career-best 33 home runs and a World Series title. According to Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe, the 32-year-old slugger has told people he would prefer to stay with L.A., but he "has long been intrigued by the idea of playing at Fenway Park, and he's a fan of [manager] Alex Cora."
The Dodgers have been trying to bring him back, but ESPN's Alden Gonzalez hears that the two sides "have been unable to bridge the gap" in their negotiations over the past several weeks.
In addition to the Dodgers, the Red Sox could face serious competition in the outfield market from a pair of AL East rivals, the Yankees and Blue Jays, two of the other teams that were in the mix for Soto. According to Morosi, both clubs are also interested in Santander. The Yanks have been connected to Hernández, too.