For Boston Red Sox fans, the frustration has become all too familiar. Every offseason seems to bring the same refrain: the team is “highly interested” in nearly every notable free agent, only for nothing meaningful to come of it. That cycle repeated itself once again when Pete Alonso — a player the Red Sox were reportedly deeply engaged with — chose instead to sign with the division-rival Baltimore Orioles.
In the aftermath of Alonso’s decision, The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey reported that the Red Sox are now exploring “creative” avenues to inject more power into their lineup this winter. While this may signal resourcefulness from the front office, it is not the sort of update Boston fans want to hear.
A franchise with the Red Sox’s market size, revenue streams, and storied legacy should not have to rely on creativity to acquire impact talent. Historically, Boston’s financial muscle and iconic status in Major League Baseball have helped them draw star players with both lucrative offers and the allure of wearing one of the sport’s most historic uniforms.
Yet this offseason has made it clear that Boston’s approach has changed. Reports indicated that the Red Sox not only offered Alonso fewer years but also a lower average annual value than what the Orioles put on the table. For a fan base accustomed to the days when ownership had no hesitation about outbidding competitors, the news has been another example of how conservative the organization has become.
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The root of the problem appears to lie at the ownership level. John Henry and Fenway Sports Group seem increasingly reluctant to spend aggressively, even as other big-market teams continue to pour resources into their rosters. Because of this shift, new chief baseball officer Craig Breslow finds himself in a challenging position. Although tasked with elevating Boston back into contention, he is reportedly unable to offer contracts that can compete with top-of-the-market deals elsewhere.
This has placed the Red Sox at a disadvantage when pursuing marquee free agents. Recruiting players becomes far more difficult when Boston’s financial offers no longer reflect the prestige of the franchise. Instead of overwhelming competitors with substantial bids — something the team was once known for — Breslow must attempt to sell players on less tangible factors: the opportunity to play in a passionate baseball city, the potential for a re-emerging roster, and the long-term vision the front office is trying to execute.
For fans, however, these explanations do little to ease the sense of disappointment. Boston has missed out on several major targets in recent years, and Alonso’s signing with a divisional opponent only adds salt to the wound. Hearing once again that the team is “highly interested” but unwilling to follow through financially has become an unwelcome tradition.
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As the offseason continues, the Red Sox must find a way to compensate for ownership’s reluctance to spend. Creativity may indeed be required, but unless the organization eventually shifts back toward using its substantial resources more assertively, frustration among the fan base is likely to grow deeper.
Red Sox Targets Now That Alonso is Off the Table
With Pete Alonso landing in Baltimore and Kyle Schwarber committing to Philadelphia, the Red Sox appear poised to circle back to the strategy they originally had in mind: bringing Alex Bregman back to Boston once he opts out after the 2025 season.
Now that the two biggest power bats they monitored have officially found new homes, Boston’s front office seems ready to reaffirm its interest in a reunion with Bregman, a player who—despite stretches of injuries—left a very positive impression during his time with the organization.
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Bregman’s tenure with the Red Sox wasn’t defined by overwhelming power, but rather by steadiness and dependability. He consistently produced competitive at-bats, delivered reliable offense even in down stretches, and provided much-needed leadership in a clubhouse full of developing talent.
Young players leaned on him for guidance, and his professional approach became an internal standard. Reports continue to suggest Bregman and the Red Sox maintain a strong working relationship, and unless something shifts dramatically, it’s widely expected that he’ll be Boston’s primary free-agent objective once the market turns over.
Once Bregman is accounted for, the conversation shifts to the remaining power hitters available. Three names headline that group: Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, and Eugenio Suárez. Tucker, regarded across the league as this year’s premier free agent, is expected to command a huge contract—one that aligns with his prime years and elite production.
Based on Boston’s recent pattern of financial caution, particularly their reluctance to enter true bidding wars, it’s fair to rule out the likelihood that they would match a top-of-market offer for Tucker. In essence, he is not a realistic fit for a front office that has been unwilling to push aggressively for high-dollar stars.
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Cody Bellinger falls into a similar category when examining Boston’s current behavior. While Bellinger may not reach Tucker-level spending territory, he will almost certainly seek a long-term deal that secures his value for several seasons. Given the Red Sox have repeatedly avoided long commitments in favor of short-term, cost-controlled structures, Bellinger becomes another probable mismatch. Unless the team changes its approach, it’s hard to envision them investing in the type of extended contract Bellinger is likely to demand.
That narrows the field to Eugenio Suárez, who now effectively emerges as Boston’s second-most logical option behind Bregman. At 34 years old, Suárez brings legitimate power—something the Red Sox sorely need. His 49 home runs in the most recent season serve as a reminder that he remains one of baseball’s most dangerous right-handed power bats.
Because he is entering his mid-thirties, Suárez may be more willing to accept a shorter-term agreement, one that aligns with Boston’s preferred contract structure. Spotrac lists his projected market value at roughly $15 million per year, a highly reasonable price point for a player capable of producing elite home run totals.
In the end, if the Red Sox stick to their conservative spending strategy and remain hesitant to pursue marquee free agents, their offseason path becomes clear: prioritize a reunion with Bregman and view Suárez as the primary fallback option for adding power without exceeding their financial comfort zone.
Suarez Deal Would Embody “Creativity” Sox Are Looking For
While Eugenio Suárez offers reliable power at the plate, he sits on the lower tier of the top free agents available this offseason — a range that appears to align with the Red Sox’s current strategy. He isn’t the kind of headline-grabbing acquisition that names like Kyle Tucker or Bo Bichette would represent, but bringing him in would still provide meaningful value.
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Suárez’s presence could stabilize the heart of Boston’s batting order, giving the lineup a dependable run-producing threat without requiring the massive financial commitment that comes with the offseason’s biggest stars.
If the Red Sox are able to land both Suárez and Alex Bregman, the pairing could create a flexible and productive setup. Since Suárez has primarily played third base throughout his career, Boston would have the option to shift him into the designated hitter role on a full-time basis.
Doing so would allow Bregman to take over third base while keeping Suárez’s power bat in the everyday lineup. That combination would not be the splashiest move of the winter, but it would provide the Red Sox with balanced offensive depth, increased stability in the middle of the order, and a more well-rounded roster heading into the next season.
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