Offense is expected to be the main focus for the Boston Red Sox this offseason after their 2026 pitching staff was one of the best in the league. Boston boasted a 3.54 staff ERA last season, the third-best from any team, but hit just 163 home runs, the fifth-fewest in the league.
The Red Sox might have to put some effort into its rotation, though, despite its talent. Sonny Gray has officially hit the free agent market and he was the only righty in the 2026 rotation group. Boston could re-insert Brayan Bello in the rotation after his success at the end of the season, but it might be looking for a safer bet.
Kiley McDaniel of ESPN expects the Red Sox to check in on recently-posted free agent Kaima Taira. Taira, who will be 27 by MLB Opening Day, has been posted as a free agent by his longtime team, the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Taira posted something of a breakout season in 2026. He spent much of his eight-year NPB career as a reliever and closer but moved to the rotation this season, to great success. Taira logged an NPB-best 1.36 ERA, 0.959 WHIP, 141 strikeouts and 46 walks over 146 innings.
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Despite only being 5-foot-8, Taira has surprising extension, a trait Craig Breslow covets in his pitchers. Taira also has impressive velocity with a fastball that sits at 95-96 miles per hour and approaches triple digits. He also boasts a deep arsenal of seven pitches to keep hitters guessing.
There's always risk when it comes to signing free agents from different baseball leagues around the world. No league carries talent as elite as MLB's, meaning Taira isn't used to the level of competition MLB hitters provide up and down the lineup. NPB rotations also get more rest than MLB ones offer and it could take some time for Taira to get used to that workload, especially given how recently he pivoted to starting.
Free agents from NPB are typically given a 45-day posting window to sign with an MLB team, but that window will be reduced to less than 30 days due to the expected lockout (subscription required). If the Red Sox are interested in Taira, they'll have to work more quickly than usual to land him. McDaniel also expects the Chicago Cubs (who are utterly desperate for starting pitching) and the Washington Nationals to be suitors for Taira.
The Red Sox need another right-handed starter for their rotation and Taira would be an intriguing candidate. McDaniel predicts he'll sign a five year, $72.5 million deal, but the shorter posting window and his relative lack of starting experience could push his total down.
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