Craig Breslow could jump-start Red Sox offense with this recently optioned buy-low candidate

Simply put, the Boston Red Sox offense has been a problem. It ranks in the bottom half in batting average, the bottom third on-base percentage, and in the bottom four in OPS.

The offense is the only problem, too. According to Pat Brown of the "Play Tessie" podcast on May 17, if Boston had even a league-average offense, it would be 32-14.

The Sox need an injection of life into the offense. Red Sox commentators across social media are already mocking up trades for big-name bats in hopes of turning this team around. While massive trades can happen early in the season — as evidenced by the Rafael Devers trade last year - it's unlikely to happen in mid-May. 

One thing the Sox could look to do now is buy low, and the perfect candidate just popped up. The Minnesota Twins just optioned former first overall pick Royce Lewis to Triple-A after a rough start to the season. The 26-year-old third baseman is hitting just .163 with a .539 OPS to start the 2026 campaign. 

The former No. 1 pick Royce Lewis possesses qualities that could get the Red Sox offense moving

While Lewis has struggled the last two seasons, he has all the potential to be a prodigious power hitter. In 2023, the righty slugged .548 and hit 15 homers in just 58 games for the Twins. Even in 2024, when he struggled with average, he had 32 extra-base hits in 82 games. 

There is a chance Lewis thrives in Boston. He is constantly near the top of MLB in pull-air%. As a right-handed batter, he would be able to pepper the Green Monster. Even with his struggles this season, he is still in the 75th percentile in Barrel% and 71st in bat speed. He is also a career .278 hitter with runners in scoring position.

One of Lewis' biggest struggles has been his health throughout his career. In 2025, he reached a a career high in games played at just 106. In Minnesota, that has been a big sticking point because of his draft pedigree. If the Sox were to acquire him, though, that pressure may lessen because the expectations wouldn't be as high. 

Lewis' home has been at the hot corner during his career, which isn't an open position on the diamond for Boston. Luckily for the Sox, their infielders can adapt to other positions. Caleb Durbin could slide to second base, though his defense at third likely keeps him there. Lewis was drafted as a shortstop, and likely still has the athleticism to play second. They could shift Marcelo Mayer to shortstop and platoon him and Trevor Story, or platoon Lewis and Mayer at second base for the time being. Getting the former top pick some time at DH could also ease any injury concerns.

Lewis likely isn't the answer to all of Boston's problems on offense, but it needs to try something. The Red Sox's pitching staff has carried them for most of the season, but they can't rely on that when the offense puts up less than four runs per game on average. If Breslow isn't ready to pull the trigger on a blockbuster now, why not try to see if they can find life in a former top prospect? 

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