The Boston Red Sox have home run power on their offseason checklist, and they've already been linked to a few free agent sluggers who could bring what they need. Regardless of whether a reunion with Alex Bregman is the cards, Pete Alonso or Kyle Schwarber would be excellent additions to Boston's offense.
Both will be expensive, however. Alonso and his representation are reportedly asking for a contract in the seven-year range, and Schwarber has only improved with age after slugging a career-high 56 homers in his age-32 season. As two of the biggest boppers in the National League, many teams around MLB could be willing to pay top-dollar for their services.
Some of those teams could be rather unexpected. On November 21, MLB.com published a set of bold offseason predictions made by Anthony Castrovince, and he foresees the Cincinnati Reds making a play for Alonso. Castrovince notes that the Reds have room to add payroll (although that doesn't mean they will) and that they need to make use of Terry Francona's contract while they can.
There are also a fair few attentive baseball fans who think Schwarber has been making a plea for the Reds, his hometown team, to sign him. Many Red Sox fans were convinced that Schwarber is from Waltham during his short tenure with the team in 2021, but he's actually from Middletown, Ohio, and he hasn't been quiet about his desire to return to the state.
The Reds could be in play for Pete Alonso or Kyle Schwarber, two top sluggers linked to the Red Sox
"I grew up going to games there," Schwarber said of the Reds' home ballpark to Charlie Clifford NBC 5 Cincinnati. "I grew up sitting in the bleachers and watching a lot of games and I think the kid would be excited, right? ...You have your hometown team that's calling."
Cincinnati isn't often a big player in the free agent market, but Schwarber's interest and Castrovince's points could be two of the reasons it shells out for a slugger this offseason. Schwarber could give the Reds a discount if they were to pursue him due to his clear desire to play close to home. Money is a motivator though, and if the Red Sox or Phillies offered more, he could still sign with them instead.
The Reds wouldn't have hired Francona if they weren't going to shoot for a playoff run or two in his tenure. Alonso or Schwarber would significantly lift the offense since Cincinnati's is one of the most home run-friendly ballparks in the league. They would also be a deadly tandem with Elly De La Cruz, who is sure to rebound next season, as he played through a partially torn quad in 2025 and posted underwhelming offensive numbers as a result (.264/.336/.440 slash line, 181 strikeouts, 37 stolen bases over 162 games).
The Reds should make a run for top-tier players because baseball, as a game, is better when the league is more competitive, but the Red Sox shouldn't let them stand in their way. Boston's contending window is open while Roman Anthony, Brayan Bello, Garrett Crochet and Ceddanne Rafaela are all signed to long-term deals, and the thump Alonso or Schwarber can provide will be key to its improvement in the American League East.