Starting pitching will be the focus for all of Red Sox Nation this winter, outside of players that were already on Boston's roster. Last offseason, finding a true ace was the aim, and the Sox did just that when they acquired Garrett Crochet. He led the line all season and will likely be the Cy Young runner-up in the American League.
The Red Sox starters were good this season. Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello had extended stretches of brilliance that helped the Red Sox make the playoffs. They needed more, though. Between injuries and others falling well below expectations, 14 different pitchers made starts, not including Brennan Bernardino, who was an opener three times.
While Giolito and Bello were great, everybody knew they were punching above their weight. That's why at the trade deadline, the Sox made a run at a trade for Joe Ryan. While it didn't work out, it showed the organization knew that getting a number two behind Crochet was a priority.
Headed into the offseason, the rumor mill is starting to swirl again about the Red Sox and their need for a high-end starter. A trade with Minnesota for Ryan is still an option, but in the offseason, many more possibilities open up. A surprising one may come out of Ohio.
The Reds and Hunter Greene could be perfect trade partners for Red Sox to get elite pitching
The Cincinnati Reds just made it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020, and it was 2013 before that. Historically, they are a team that doesn't carry a high payroll (they've only been in the top 15 twice in the last 10 years, and been 19th or lower seven times), might look to shed some salary this offseason to make room for other improvements.
Hunter Greene, their 26-year-old ace, who has had back-to-back great seasons, though injury-riddled, is owed $61 million over the next four years. Signed as a pre-arbitration extension, the deal escalates every season, climbing to $8.3 million next season, then jumping to $15.3 million in 2027 and $16.3 million in '28, with a club option at $21 million in 2029. While for some teams that is manageable (like the Red Sox), for a team that generally sits at the lower end of the payroll spectrum, that is money that could be allocated to multiple players.
Speculation is swirling that maybe the Reds could have Hunter Greene on the table this offseason.
— Robbie Hyde (@gingersnaphyde) October 14, 2025
If this is the case, the Red Sox make a ton of sense. Reds need bats and the Red Sox could center a package around Duran/Wilyer. Would also clear $ for CIN in FA to get another bat. pic.twitter.com/4WWpdxPXIM
The Reds also have a lot of high-end depth in their rotation. While the righty led the line for them, when healthy, he could be expendable. The Reds need bats this winter, especially in the outfield. Mark Sheldon, a Reds reporter for MLB.com, highlighted the fact that the team could use Greene to acquire such bats and shed a soon-to-be-expensive salary in the process.
The Red Sox could be a perfect partner for the Reds. They will likely be trading one (or both) of Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu this offseason. With Cincinnati's need for impact outfield bats and Boston's need for another top-end starter, the two could match up for a trade. While Boston would likely need to throw in multiple prospects with the outfielder, it could be a perfect fit for both organizations to fill needs while dealing from strengths.