What's next for Red Sox after adding Buehler?

December 23rd, 2024

MLB.com is keeping track of all the latest free-agent and trade rumors involving the Red Sox right here.

Dec. 23: What’s next for Red Sox after adding Buehler?
The Red Sox have made yet another pitching addition, agreeing to a one-year, $21.05 million deal with right-hander Walker Buehler (per a source). Boston's deal with Buehler, which follows its blockbuster trade for ace lefty Garrett Crochet and its two-year contract agreement with Patrick Sandoval, could signal an end to the team’s rotation shopping.

Buehler is set to join Crochet, Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford on the club’s starting staff. Sandoval and Lucas Giolito will be in the mix as well, once they finish recovering from their respective elbow surgeries.

The Red Sox have also addressed their bullpen with the additions of Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson. Up next for Boston this offseason? Likely a bat.

After missing out on Juan Soto, the Red Sox have been connected to a number of free-agent position players, including Alex Bregman, Teoscar Hernández and Anthony Santander, but they’ve yet to make a major move on that side of the ball.

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.