**BOSTON RED SOX**
**2024 Finish:** 81-81 (3rd in AL East)
**Manager:** Alex Cora (7th season, 521-451 record)
**Front Office Leader:** Craig Breslow, Chief Baseball Officer (2nd season)
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### **DOLLARS AND SENSE**
– **Largest Luxury Tax Hit:** 3B Alex Bregman ($31.7 million)
– **Top Returning Players:** OF Jarren Duran (6.7 fWAR), 3B Rafael Devers (4.1), OF Wilyer Abreu (3.1)
– **Top Returning Starters:** RHP Tanner Houck (3.9 fWAR), RHP Brayan Bello (2.0), RHP Kutter Crawford (1.9)
– **Top Returning Relievers:** RHP Justin Slaten (1.5 fWAR), RHP Greg Weissert (0.5), RHP Luis Guerrero (0.3)
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### **ROSTER WATCH**
**Key Additions:**
– 3B Alex Bregman (free agent), LHP Garrett Crochet (trade), RHP Walker Buehler (free agent), LHP Aroldis Chapman (free agent), RHP Liam Hendriks (free agent), RHP Yhoiker Fajardo (trade), LHP Patrick Sandoval (free agent), LHP Justin Wilson (free agent), C Seby Zavala (minors), RHP Austin Adams (minors), LHP Sean Newcomb (minors), RHP Robert Stock (minors), 3B Abraham Toro (minors), RHP Adam Ottavino (minors), OF Trayce Thompson (minors), LHP Matt Moore (minors).
**Key Losses:**
– RHP Kenley Jansen (free agent), C Danny Jansen (free agent), RHP Nick Pivetta (free agent), RHP Luis Garcia (free agent), LHP James Paxton (free agent), RHP Lucas Sims (free agent), RHP Chris Martin (free agent), OF Tyler O’Neill (free agent), 2B Enmanuel Valdez (trade), LHP Cam Booser (trade).
**Top Prospects (Baseball America Top 100):**
– OF Roman Anthony (2), 2B Kristian Campbell (4), SS Marcelo Mayer (15), SS Franklin Arias (76).
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### **KEEP AN EYE ON**
The Red Sox made a splash late in the offseason by signing star third baseman Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million deal. However, with Rafael Devers reluctant to shift to DH, Bregman is expected to play second base. The infield also hinges on the health of shortstop Trevor Story, who has played just 94 games over three seasons in Boston. Top prospects Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer could also push for playing time this year.
On the pitching side, the Red Sox traded for left-hander Garrett Crochet, a 25-year-old with ace potential who posted a 3.58 ERA in 146 innings last year after recovering from Tommy John surgery. The team will aim to extend him before he hits free agency after 2026.
To bolster the bullpen, Boston signed veterans Liam Hendriks and Aroldis Chapman to replace the departed Kenley Jansen. Hendriks, returning from Tommy John surgery, and Chapman, a seasoned setup man, bring a combined 451 saves and 10 All-Star appearances, providing experience and stability in high-leverage situations.
The Red Sox also added Walker Buehler to solidify the rotation, signaling a mix of youth and veteran talent as they look to climb back into contention in the competitive AL East.
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