Last year, the Red Sox finished third in the AL East with an 89-73 record and managed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021. There was pressure on Boston chief baseball officer Craig Breslow to continue building a contender, but the start of the offseason was a bit bumpy.
The team didn't retain Alex Bregman, who signed a five-year, $175 million contract with the Cubs in January. Pete Alonso, one of the biggest bats in free agency, chose to join the Orioles. The Red Sox failed to make a huge splash.
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However, while the front office didn't necessarily grab headlines, its quick shift in offseason strategy could ultimately pay off.
Here's a breakdown of the Red Sox's offseason, including the key additions that could help the team make a deep run in 2026.
Red Sox offseason moves, top additions
New-look rotation with Sonny Gray and Ranger Suarez
The Red Sox ended the 2025 season with Garrett Crochet as the unquestioned ace, but they wanted to fill out the rest of the rotation. Enter Sonny Gray and Ranger Suarez.
Gray is coming off a season in which he finished 14-8 with a 4.28 ERA and struck out more than 200 batters with the Cardinals. Suarez went 12-8 with a 3.20 ERA as a member of the Phillies, totaling a career-high 151 strikeouts in 157 1/3 innings.
Crochet, Suarez and Gray should be the top three in Boston's rotation, followed by Brayan Bello and Johan Oviedo. Oviedo's name may not be written in pen just yet, though.
Regardless of how Alex Cora sets the pitching order, the Red Sox should have one of the best starting units in baseball.
Is Caleb Durbin the infielder of the future?
After losing Bregman, Boston needed to find someone to fill the void at the hot corner. The Brewers were ready and willing to provide help.
Boston acquired 2025 NL Rookie of the Year finalist Caleb Durbin earlier this month as part of a trade involving six players. In 136 games with Milwaukee last year, Durbin had a slash line of .256/.334/.387 with 11 home runs and 53 RBIs.
Durbin provides versatility with the ability to play at second or third. He is a good contact hitter, but the Red Sox are optimistic that he can show more power as he hits his prime.
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Willson Contreras brings bat, veteran presence
Willson Contreras, a former World Series champion, has hit at least 20 home runs in four of the last five seasons. The Red Sox are hoping that there is still some pop left in his bat.
Contreras, who landed in Boston as part of a trade with St. Louis, is also a solid defender, and he smoothly made the transition from catcher to first baseman last season. If the Red Sox want to mix up the defensive alignment, he can fill the DH role.
Perhaps just as important as anything he does on the field, Contreras is already a respected voice in the locker room.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, a true utility player
Isiah Kiner-Falefa is ready to bring value across multiple positions for the Red Sox. IKF was a key addition for the Blue Jays last year, and he previously produced for the Pirates before moving to Toronto.
He should provide Boston with plenty of depth, taking on any assignment that comes his way.