As the calendar turns to February, the Red Sox prepare to enter Spring Training with an air of unfinished business — in more ways than one.
They’re coming off a good season (89-73), but one that ended in disappointment with a loss to the Yankees in the Wild Card Series. They’re also poised to make another significant move to round out the roster and complete what’s been a busy offseason, but one that could use another move on offense to help replace the bat of Alex Bregman, who exercised his opt-out and signed as a free agent with the Cubs.
If it all sounds a bit familiar, there’s a reason. The Sox find themselves in a season prelude that bears an interesting parallel to 2018, which, of course, ended with a World Series title. Given these ingredients, February could be a crucial month for the 2026 Red Sox, just as it was for the 2018 version.
Think back to 2018. That team was coming off a 93-win season and an AL East title, but also a disappointing loss to the Astros in the ALDS. The roster — much like the 2026 version — had a core of exciting young talent that included Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Andrew Benintendi. That talent had been supplemented in recent years with veteran arms including lefties Chris Sale and David Price, and 2016 AL Cy Young winner Rick Porcello to build a formidable contender.
But the move that brought everything together and put the team on the path to the World Series title was the acquisition of slugger JD Martinez during Spring Training.
Martinez, who clubbed 45 homers and had a 1.066 OPS between the Tigers and D-backs in 2017, signed with Boston in late February and put up a monster season for the Sox. He hit .330 with 43 homers, 130 RBIs and a 1.031 OPS to help lead Boston to an MLB-best 108 wins. But more importantly, Martinez had a big postseason, batting .300 with a .923 OPS and 14 RBIs to help lead Boston to a championship.
The 2026 Red Sox are in a similar preseason position. They have a talented young core that includes Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Roman Anthony, and which has been supplemented with acquisitions including lefty ace Garrett Crochet and closer Aroldis Chapman. But they perhaps lack that one, crucial piece that completes the puzzle and takes the team to a new level. There’s a clear opening to go get it, however.
Though manager Alex Cora said Contreras will likely serve as the primary cleanup hitter, the team would still benefit from an additional bat. Among the right-handed possibilities is free agent Marcell Ozuna, who’s averaged 33 homers the past three seasons, though strictly as a DH.
Of course, if no free agent turns out to be a fit, the trade market could potentially open up a slew of possibilities for Boston. The point is, the Sox have options.
While there’s no guarantee that Boston will make another big move, the next month-plus represents a major opportunity to put the finishing touches on a roster hoping to make a deep postseason run. That means arguably the most crucial stretch of the Red Sox’s season could come before a pitch is thrown.
