The Red Sox were 4th in the AL for OPS and 3rd in the AL for runs in 2025. That is without Bregman or Anthony for much of the season. Getting middle of the line up bats is great, but BOS scored runs last season. Granted, some guys like Romy Gonzalez had surprising seasons, but I don't think they need to overreach for improved position player production. 5 more seasons for guys already in their 30s is likely to turn out to be overreaching.
I wish it was the old days where BOS was in on every hot FA, it just isn't anymore. I would rather they focus on pitching.
But they might not be able to replicate all of that offense this season with the same personnel. Can Romy have another good season? Can Story again stay healthy a full season and hit well again? Is Narvaez for real?
And there are other big questions related to the offense: If they bring Bregman back, will he stay healthy and have a decent year, or continue to decline? If they don't bring him back, how will the mostly unproven Mayer do as the full-time 3B? Is Casas finally going to do something significant or completely wash out? Is Yoshida ever going to make a big impact? Will the Sox again be stuck with so-so platoon situations at 2B and RF?
I don't disagree. They have some opportunities to improve the line up, primarily 1B and 2B. And if they lose Bregman, add 3B. Yoshida (DH) could be improved upon. And I feel that they should spend some money on a couple of these weaknesses. I don't expect that they will spend big on early 30's sluggers who can't field though.
I could see a scenario, maybe this is the worst case from a lack of spending standpoint, where Bregman comes back, Campbell everyday at 2B, and Casas at DH. Then a platoon or something at 1B. My point is that even with that, they are probably top 3 or 4 in scoring and slugging again and with improved/deeper pitching, are contending. If you added Alonso to that, what is it, a couple more wins? 5 more wins? That is how the Red Sox are looking at it I suspect.
