Following their acquisition of starting pitcher Sonny Gray, the Boston Red Sox have made it clear that their priority now lies in adding a middle-of-the-order slugger.
That’s not to say they won’t keep adding pitching, of course. Gray’s contract terms (one year and about $21 million remaining) should give the team flexibility to keep monitoring the deep-end of that side of the market. It’s simply a fact that, with the veteran right-hander in tow, the team has a bigger need in its infield.
The Red Sox, who have wide-open holes at first, second, and third base right now, struggled with power production post-Rafael Devers in 2025. The team ranked 27th in the league in home runs in the second half, and no one hit more than shortstop Trevor Story (25).
As such, it shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that the team has been scouting the best available sluggers in free agency, including Kyle Schwarber and Munetaka Murakami. MLB insider Mark Feinsand doubled down on that notion, citing Pete Alonso as the “perfect free-agent match” for the team this offseason.
Of course, the Red Sox had a player who fit their middle-of-the-order need in 2025 in Alex Bregman, an All-Star who slowed down following a mid-season quad injury.
It sounds like Bregman isn’t all too likely to return to Boston, which would be a shame after he not only provided elite contributions on the field, but also proved to be an excellent mentor for up-and-coming stars like Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer.
A two-time World Series champion and above-average defender at the hot corner, Bregman would be an excellent get for the Red Sox in free agency, even if he’ll require a nine-figure contract at 31 years old.
Of course, as far as consolation prizes go, Alonso is a sweet one. A five-time All-Star, Alonso has hit at least 34 home runs in every season of his career, save for the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. He’s not the best defender at first base (-9 OAA and -9 DRS in 2025), but even as a designated hitter, the 30-year-old’s career 132 wRC+ and .263 ISO would fit nicely into the middle of the lineup.
Naturally, one has to question if Breslow and Co. will really be willing to give a strikeout-prone power hitter in his thirties a contract worth $100 million or more, which Alonso has been projected to get by most pundits.
If they are willing to take on that risk, Alonso could do a lot of damage taking aim at the Green Monster for the next several seasons.
