The American League East is consistently packed with some of the best talent in MLB. The Boston Red Sox are usually no exception, but their young 2024 roster had more inexperienced players than stars.
Boston needs help in a few categories, and it'll look to remedy its pitching deficiencies and offensive holes this offseason. There's plenty of impending free agent talent on the Sox's AL East rival squads, and Boston has plenty of money to sign whoever it wants.
Here are the best free agents from the AL East the Red Sox should target. They'll all be highly coveted choices, so the Sox should act fast and sign their favorites once free agency opens.
5 division rivals Red Sox could sign in free agency
Juan Soto - NYY
Let's get the most unrealistic choice out of the way first. Juan Soto is sure to sign one of the most expensive contracts in the history of MLB, and it looks like he feels right at home in the Bronx, especially after his World Series performance. But the Red Sox always used to be in on the best free agents on the market, and it's time for the front office to return to its old mentality.
Soto batted .288/.419/.569 with a .988 OPS, a league-leading 129 walks and 119 strikeouts over 157 regular season games with the Yankees. He also blasted a career-high 41 homers, which would've led the Red Sox this season.
Anthony Santander - BAL
Anthony Santander could also bring a boost of power to Boston's outfield. The 30-year-old has played his entire eight-year career with the Orioles, but he's probably not a prime candidate for a contract extension after Baltimore's top young talent has reached MLB.
Santander slashed .235/.308/.506 with an .814 OPS, 25 doubles, two triples and career highs of 44 homers and 102 RBI. He's a switch-hitter, which means he could fill the Sox's need for a righty bat, but bat lefty when it's advantageous.
Corbin Burnes - BAL
The Red Sox need to sign an ace this winter, and Corbin Burnes is the best of them. He would bring elite stuff, years of experience and mentorship to Boston's pitching staff, but he may be too pricey for the Sox's ownership group.
Burnes posted a 2.92 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP with 181 strikeouts and 46 walks over 194.1 frames with the Orioles. He owns a 3.19 career ERA in 903.2 innings and he's been a picture of consistency over his seven major league seasons.
Tim Hill - NYY
The Red Sox are likely to lose Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin this offseason, so adding another experienced bullpen arm will be key. The Yankees' Tim Hill could be the answer to Boston's departures and help mitigate another late-season bullpen collapse.
The 34-year-old Hill began his season with the White Sox and struggled, but turned his year around when he was traded to New York. He clocked a 3.36 over 67 innings in the regular season and an outstanding 1.08 ERA over 10 postseason appearances.
Ryan Yarbrough - TOR
Ryan Yarbrough is another experienced reliever who could bolster Boston's 'pen. The 32-year-old moved to the bullpen full-time for the first time this year and delivered for both the Dodgers and the Blue Jays.
Yarbrough posted a 3.19 ERA — the lowest of his seven-year career — and a 1.03 WHIP over 98.2 innings across 44 relief appearances. He throws lefty, which could help balance the Sox's righty-heavy pitching staff.