The Boston Red Sox are entering another pivotal offseason. Such is the urgent situation for a fringe contender that’s one or two moves away from serious World Series possibilities. Boston started hot stove season with a bang by snagging Sonny Gray, but fans are expecting a bigger bang, or at least another one, in the weeks to come.
The Red Sox need another impact arm, and more mashing in the lineup. But what does Boston truly need the most?
That’s a question that ESPN’s long-respected MLB writer Buster Olney attacked on Wednesday, and his answer was [offensively-inclined](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/47177779/mlb-2025-26-offseason-biggest-needs-contenders-dodgers-cubs-yankees-mets).
“Since the Red Sox allowed (Kyle) Schwarber to walk as a free agent following the 2021 season, there has been major regret within the organization over that decision — not only because of the production that Schwarber provided, but also because of his leadership,” Olney wrote.
“Boston faces a similar quandary now with Alex Bregman … But retaining Bregman will be expensive, and it’s not clear how much the Red Sox will spend coming off what was a year of progress. If they pay to retain Bregman, they will still need a thumper … will the Red Sox continue to ante up for the rising cost of talent? It’s unclear.”
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Olney ultimately summarized Boston’s biggest need as a “corner masher”. [Pete Alonso](https://nesn.com/2025/12/red-sox-among-two-most-likely-landing-spots-for-mets-star/) certainly fits that mold. It’s going to be a fascinating couple of months around Major League Baseball.
Featured image via Eric Canha/USA TODAY Sports