Craig Breslow talks Red Sox’s biggest offseason needs

This story was excerpted from Ian Browneâ€s Red Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

BOSTON – While calling the annual GM Meetings that are taking place in Las Vegas this week “largely symbolic at this point,†Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow did provide some hints and insight into the shaping of Bostonâ€s roster for 2026.

Here are some takeaways, with an assist from MLB.com senior national reporter Mark Feinsand, who attended Breslowâ€s recent session with the media.

Thinking big with starting pitching

At last Julyâ€s Trade Deadline, Breslow was in several discussions with teams about top starters, most notably Minnesotaâ€s Joe Ryan. While nothing came to fruition, the offseason offers more time for a deal to come together.

“Starting pitching,†said Breslow. “And particularly someone we feel can start alongside or slot in behind Garrett and start a playoff game for us. Because of the depth that weâ€ve built up over the last couple of years, we feel pretty good about overall starting pitching and Nos. 3-ish through 10-ish, and thatâ€s not to take away from guys who are certainly capable of doing more. Itâ€s just to say, I donâ€t think weâ€re going to spend a ton of time trying to add a No. 4 or a No. 5 starter. If weâ€re going to make a starting pitching addition, I think it should be somebody who can pitch at the front of a rotation and start a playoff game for us.â€

There are also established starters to be had on the free agent market, including Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez and Zac Gallen.

“We’ll see what the trade and free agent markets dictate,†said Breslow. “There are compelling opportunities in both, we think. We also are mindful of, while we believe we’re in a window to contend and to compete for the postseason, World Series championships, we’re also mindful of keeping one eye on the future. Trading away four really good young players for a starting pitcher is one way of pulling those wins forward. And there are times we showed, last year being one of them, that you have to do that. But we also don’t want to be in a position where we’re having to do that year over year.â€

Letâ€s face it. The Red Sox still need to fill the power void left by Rafael Devers, who they traded to the Giants in June.

The expected return to health from Roman Anthony and Wilyer Abreu will help, but a centerpiece run producer is on Breslowâ€s wish list.

In particular, the data proves that power really plays in October.

“I donâ€t want to get so anchored to this idea that the only way to score runs is home runs. We showed that isnâ€t the case. That said, a disproportionate number of runs in the postseason are scored via the home run, and thatâ€s not something that we can ignore,†said Breslow.

Pete Alonso, the right-handed masher who has belted 264 Mets homers over the last seven seasons, would look good in a Red Sox uniform taking aim at the Green Monster with his light tower power. Kyle Schwarber, a left-handed hitter, made a strong impression during his first stint with the Red Sox down the stretch in 2021. But given his connection to the Phillies and their fans, it might be unlikely he leaves.

Does Breslow prefer a lefty or righty masher?

“In a perfect world, I would suppose we would want to balance out the lineup a bit [with a righty]. That said, I think when you can hit the ball out of the park, it doesnâ€t really matter,†Breslow said. “I think we have found that lefties can use the wall and create a good offensive environment, righties who can pull the ball in the air can do the same thing. There are a number of different ways for us to improve our slug, but I think this idea that we can do more damage on balls on play is certainly a correct one.â€

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