For the Red Sox, it’s not the worst dilemma to face. However, after a promising spring and early summer gave way to a disappointing September, it’s clear that a bold solution is needed, possibly as soon as this offseason.

The issue lies in the Red Sox having an abundance of talented young position players, many of whom are left-handed hitters. This presents a challenge for a team that calls Fenway Park home. To make matters worse, while the team has an abundance of young hitters, the farm system lacks pitching depth.

Veteran MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic proposes a bold solution. In his column, titled “Why the Red Sox need to add a right-handed masher in the offseason,” Rosenthal suggests:

“Imagine Alex Bregman playing third base for the Boston Red Sox next season. What about Rafael Devers? Move him to first. And Triston Casas? Trade him for a starting pitcher with similar ability and service time, perhaps from the Seattle Mariners.”

Alex Bregman Could Get $120 Million

That’s a lot to take in, but there’s also a solid rationale behind it.

Bregman will be a free agent this offseason, and while it may be difficult to lure him away from Houston, the Astros have mishandled similar situations before. Despite a slow start, Bregman has still posted a .256 average with a .757 OPS and 23 home runs. He’d be a great addition for a team needing a stronger glove at third base and a seasoned clubhouse leader.

Of course, the Red Sox would need to pay a hefty price. Bregman is finishing up a five-year, $100 million contract, and Spotrac estimates his market value at four years, $120 million. With Scott Boras as his agent, expect a tough negotiation.

 

 

Equally intriguing is the idea of trading Triston Casas, who’s only 24 but has been limited to 50 games this year due to a persistent oblique injury. After hitting 24 home runs last season, Casas hasn’t been able to build on that, with just eight homers and a .241 average this year.

If the Red Sox do trade Casas, they’d need to receive a top-tier starting pitcher in return. Rosenthal points to the Mariners as a potential trade partner, though the Cubs or Giants could also be in the mix.

Red Sox Loaded With Prospects

The Red Sox are facing some crucial decisions in the near future. They have a “Big Three” of prospects—shortstop Marcelo Mayer, outfielder Roman Anthony, and catcher Kyle Teel—who all had standout 2024 seasons and are likely to push for major league spots by next summer. Notably, all three are left-handed hitters.

Anthony is ranked as the No. 1 prospect in baseball by Baseball America, while Mayer is No. 10. Infielder Kristian Campbell, who batted .330 with a .997 OPS, is also a key player in the mix, sitting at No. 24 on BA’s list, just ahead of Teel at No. 25. Unlike the others, Campbell bats right-handed.

There’s plenty of reason to be optimistic about the Red Sox’s future. Rosenthal compared their situation to the Orioles, who took a bold step by trading for Corbin Burnes, which helped elevate them to contender status.

“How this all will play out is anyone’s guess,” Rosenthal noted. “The free agent market that fits the Red Sox’s needs is limited and unpredictable. But after a season showing promising progress, more dramatic moves are necessary—whether it’s position changes, signings, or trades. No team can succeed at Fenway Park being this left-handed.”