Boston Red Sox
“Either way, expect them to be aggressive with the aim of adding at least a bat or two.”
Craig Breslow and the Red Sox have their work cut out for them this offseason.
Beyond the looming threat of an extended lockout, Boston can’t just stand pat after back-to-back playoff exits in the Wild-Card Round against the Yankees.
Even if Boston should boast a strong starting rotation and bullpen next year — headlined by a healthy Garrett Crochet and an emerging Payton Tolle — the Red Sox still need to add more pop to their lineup.
Former MLB GM Jim Bowden — who now writes for The Athletic — echoed a similar sentiment Tuesday while writing about each MLB team’s top priority during the offseason.
And when it comes to adding offense to a Boston roster that lacked a legitimate impact bat in the heart of its order in 2026, Bowden believes that Breslow and Co. will once again revisit talks on a blockbuster deal involving a star shortstop.
“The Red Sox will also continue to call the Nationals regarding a possible CJ Abrams trade and the Reds if Cincinnati decides to move Elly De La Cruz,” Bowden wrote. “Either way, expect them to be aggressive with the aim of adding at least a bat or two.”
The Red Sox were linked to both De La Cruz and Abrams earlier this season.
According to MassLive’s Sean McAdam, Boston put together a substantial offer for De La Cruz ahead of MLB’s trade deadline in August — but Boston and the Cincinnati Reds could not agree on the deal framework.
The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey wrote last month that the Red Sox also “checked in” on both Abrams and Angels shortstop Zach Neto before the deadline, but that Boston decided the asking price for those players, which included [top prospect Franklin Arias] and more, was too high.”
Even if the Red Sox value Arias — a potential franchise shortstop in his own right — a player like Abrams or De La Cruz could offer more immediate returns for a team fixed in a more immediate contention window.
De La Cruz, 24, is already a star talent at shortstop — especially coming off a 2026 season where he slashed .283/.365/.515 with 30 doubles, 30 home runs, 79 RBI, and 30 stolen bases.
The 6-foot-6 shortstop has also made major strides with his glove, ranking in the 91st percentile of big-league shortstops in both range and arm strength — per Baseball Savant.
Beyond his age and already immediate impact both at the plate and in the field, De La Cruz’s value is also boosted by the fact that he’s under team control until the end of the 2029 season.
Abrams, 26, doesn’t offer as much value on defense. But the Nationals infielder is one of the more productive offensive players at his position — batting .261 with 33 home runs, 106 RBI and 34 steals this past season. He won’t hit free agency for another two seasons.
Bowden is not exactly an outlier when it comes to linking De La Cruz to the Red Sox — with WEEI’s Rob Bradford also tabbing the Reds shortstop as a name for Boston fans to keep tabs on this offseason.
MassLive’s Chris Cotillo also noted in his offseason predictions piece this week that his bold proclamation revolves around Boston paying a steep price to pry De La Cruz out of Cincinnati.
“The Red Sox need offense yet don’t have many clear positions where an upgrade makes sense,” Cotillo noted. “Shortstop is clearly one of them with Trevor Story entering the final year of his contract.
“Dealing for De La Cruz would represent a clear blockbuster and “go-for-it” move from Craig Breslow, and that’s exactly what the Red Sox need. Franklin Arias would headline any package. At the deadline, the Reds were willing to at least listen. Now, expect them to truly consider dealing the two-time All-Star.”
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