Red Sox News: Gold Glove finalists, Winter Weekend, Chris Martin rumors

Boston Red Sox outfielders Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu have been named as finalists for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award.

Duran has been named a finalist for the center field position and Abreu for right field. Duran will be up against Houston's Jake Meyers and Toronto's Daulton Varsho for the award. Abreu is grouped with the Angels' Jo Adell and the Yankees' Juan Soto.

The Red Sox's outfield was one of the biggest surprises of their season. Duran's breakout campaign is worthy of MVP consideration and Abreu repeatedly made outstanding plays in one of the most difficult outfield spots in the league as a rookie.

Red Sox Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu named Gold Glove finalists

Varsho was the best defender among outfielders in the American League last season with a league-leading 3.1 dWAR, which means Duran will have some tough competition in his category. Abreu posted better defensive stats than Soto and Adell across the board, so he may be the Sox's Gold Glove favorite.

Sean McAdam of MassLive has reported that the Red Sox will no longer hold their Winter Weekend fan festival in Springfield, MA. There has not been an official report from the team, but the format and location of the event will change this coming winter.

Changes coming to Winter Weekend, Red Sox offseason fan festival

The Winter Weekend fan festival was usually held in January and featured multiple events involving fans and players. One of the most popular events was a Q&A session with management and front office staff, but the team did away with it after John Henry was grilled by fans in 2022.

McAdam's report suggests future winter fan festival events will take place between Fenway Park and MGM Fenway Music Hall, which Henry and Fenway Sports Group also own.

Chris Martin may want to pitch closer to his native Texas in his final year in MLB

Red Sox reliever Chris Martin told reporters before the end of the 2024 season that next year may be his last in MLB. The 38-year-old reliever posted two seasons for Boston, and in 2023 he carried the lowest ERA for any qualified pitcher in the league.

Martin was an anchor in the Sox's relatively young and inexperienced bullpen, and they should try to bring Martin back for his final season in the league. He may not be interested in a reunion, though.

Chris Cotillo of MassLive suggested that Martin may look to pitch closer to his Texas home next season, which could dramatically decrease the Red Sox's chances of signing him next year. Martin will be a free agent when the World Series passes, and the Sox may have had to replace him anyway, but he would be a solid addition to Boston's 2025 bullpen if he's willing to stick around up north.

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