Boston got bounced from the playoffs, again. For two straight years now, their season ended at the hands of the Yankees, on the road, after an 87-win season that, honestly, started way rougher than it finished in 2026. While the year definitely turned out far better than anyone expected in April, for a franchise that always expects to be in the World Series conversation, 87 wins and a Game 2 elimination against their biggest rival just isn’t gonna cut it. The front office knows it, the fans know it, and if they want to avoid another painful exit in 2027, there’s some serious work to do, especially on offense.
Sonny Gray’s Monster Year Was Almost Enough
You gotta hand it to Sonny Gray. The dude, at 36 years old, just put up one of his best MLB seasons ever. We’re talking tied for the AL lead with 18 wins and a nasty 2.72 ERA over 29 starts. He looked totally resurgent in Boston after that trade from the Cardinals last offseason, proving he can absolutely lead a rotation. Gray’s got a $30 million mutual option for this offseason, and while they might try to get him back on a shorter, high-AAV deal, you just know there’s gonna be a ton of interest in re-upping for a few more years.
Beyond Gray, the pitching staff looks pretty set, assuming he comes back. Ranger Suarez and Payton Tolle were straight-up terrific in 2026. Plus, there’s serious hope that Garrett Crochet comes back full-force and brings another ace-level arm to the top of that rotation. And don’t forget Garrett Whitlock, one of the best right-handed relievers in the game; his $8.3 million club option is likely getting picked up. Really, the only other guys set to hit the open market are Patrick Sandoval and Isiah Kiner-Falefa, so it’s not like the Red Sox are losing a ton of core players from this year’s squad.
This Offense Needs a Shot in the Arm
Here’s the problem, and honestly, it’s a big one: the bats. This team finished among the worst in MLB in home runs, and you could feel that lack of power when it mattered most. The Red Sox’s projected payroll for 2027 sits at $177.96 million, eighth highest in baseball, so they definitely have some room to maneuver. Don’t expect them to go after every big-name free agent out there like Tarik Skubal, Bo Bichette, Randy Arozarena, or Michael King. Instead, look for them to be active on the trade market or make some lower-cost moves to seriously juice up that offense.
Bringing back Gray would stabilize the rotation, which means the focus has to shift entirely to the lineup. One name that makes a ton of sense on the free agent market is Seiya Suzuki, the Cubs outfielder. He’s a consistent slugger and would bring exactly the kind of power this team desperately needs. You can bet Suzuki will be connected to Boston this offseason. In the infield, they relied on Nick Sogard and others, but the big need is definitely on the offensive side of the ball.
So what’s next? After getting shown the door by their biggest rival for the second year running, the front office has gotta figure out how to bridge the gap from “better than anticipated” to “World Series contender.” If they want to avoid getting sent home again by the Yankees in 2027, they’ve got to find some serious pop at the plate. Get ready for some wild trade rumors and free-agent whispers, because Boston needs to swing big if they’re gonna compete next season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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