The New York Yankees have wasted little time moving on from Juan Soto this offseason. First, they signed lefty starter Max Fried to an eight-year deal in free agency and followed that up with a trade that netted them premier closer Devin Williams from the Brewers.
On Tuesday, the Yankees added to their winter windfall by acquiring 2019 National League MVP Cody Bellinger from the Cubs for the modest price of reliever Cody Poteet. Bellinger is expected to occupy center field, allowing reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge to shift over to right field.
What now for the Boston Red Sox as they sit tight while the Yankees continue to acquire assets? The Red Sox made a splash last week in acquiring frontline starter Garrett Crochet from the White Sox but have done little else since then. Boston needs to act fast on a couple of interesting free agents that remain on the market.
The Sox have been rumored to be in the mix for a few free-agent bats, outfielder Teoscar Hernández and infielder Alex Bregman. Both would provide the Red Sox with the right-handed power that the team is now missing after the departure of Tyler O'Neill to the Baltimore Orioles in free agency. The Sox could also go the trade route and seek a deal for Cardinals' third baseman Nolan Arenado. The Cardinals have expressed interest in moving the veteran infielder to free up money.
The Yankees acquire Cody Bellinger in their second major trade in a week as the Red Sox watch from the sidelines
The Red Sox have needs elsewhere as well, primarily on the pitching staff. Another starter would certainly be a welcome addition given the uncertainty of the likes of Lucas Giolito, coming off of a UCL surgery, and even Kutter Crawford, who struggled down the stretch last season. The bullpen needs more pieces as well after finishing 26th in baseball in bullpen ERA in 2024. The Red Sox have signed Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson but haven't added any other parts to what was a shaky 'pen.
The Yankees already signed Fried so they shouldn't be competitors in the starting pitching department. New York still needs a first baseman and another bat with some pop, though, and Bregman or Arenado, both of whom are willing to switch positions, could be targets for Boston as well as its rival.
The Red Sox haven't backtracked from their commitments earlier this offseason to be active in both the trade and free-agent markets. Actions speak louder than words, however, and this team still hasn't signed a free agent of note since inking Trevor Story before the start of the 2022 season. Further, they haven't had a true free agent success story since singing JD Martinez in 2018. The Sox fans have been patient but that patience is growing thin as their arch-rivals, the New York Yankees, keep adding chess pieces.