Pedro Martínez clinched his first NL Cy Young Award on Nov. 11, 1997, becoming the first Expos player and the first Dominican pitcher to win the honor. He posted a 17-8 record with a league‑best 1.90 ERA, 13 complete games, a 0.932 WHIP and 305 strikeouts—the first Latin American to surpass 300 Ks in a season. Despite the triumph, Montreal traded him to the Red Sox a week later. Martínez would later add two more Cy Youngs (1999, 2000) and enter the Hall of Fame in 2015, cementing his legacy as one of baseball’s all‑time greats.
Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela was among the finalists for the American League Platinum Glove Award, but he'll have to wait at least another year for a chance to take home the honor.New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger won the award in the American League, while Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong earned the National League honor.
As the offseason drags on amid a looming lockout, the Braves are quietly circling starting‑pitcher targets. A.J.C. reporter Gabe Burns says Atlanta showed interest in Detroit’s Casey Mize and Boston’s Nick Pivetta before the trade deadline. The blog also reviews Osvaldo Bido’s 2026 performance for Atlanta, and notes a 25‑year‑old Taiwanese reliever being posted for MLB sign‑on. Meanwhile, Max Scherzer remains noncommittal about his plans for next season.
Longtime Red Sox staffer Dana LeVangie departs Boston after a 36‑year tenure that included four World Series rings, a stint as bullpen catcher during the 2004 championship, and a pitching‑coach role in the 2018 title run. The veteran scout now joins the Kansas City Royals as a professional scout, marking his first job outside the Sox organization. LeVangie's exit underscores a broader turnover in Boston’s front office under CBO Craig Breslow, while the Royals hope his meticulous scouting eye will aid their rebuild.
The Red Sox are reshuffling their front office as President of Baseball Operations Craig Breslow vows to fill vacant executive spots this offseason. Former assistant GM Paul Toboni left for the Nationals, and AGM Taylor Smith departed for the A’s POBO role, prompting internal promotions: Dan Meyer becomes VP of baseball research and Patrick Coglianese VP of baseball systems. Current AGMs Raquel Ferreira, Michael Groopman and Eddie Romero remain in place. Meanwhile, long‑time staffer Dana LeVangie exits for a scouting job with the Royals after 35 years, and reliever Zack Kelly is released following a waiver clearance and elbow fracture recovery.
The Oakland A's aim to reshape their roster by hiring two seasoned baseball executives: Cam Castro as GM and Taylor Smith as President of Baseball Operations. Both come from recent World Series teams—the Brewers and Rays—and bring deep experience in pitching development and analytics. Castro’s resume includes overseeing the Brewers' player development that turned raw arms into elite pitchers, while Smith’s background spans the frugal Rays and big‑market Red Sox. Their joint focus is to develop home‑grown talent like Luis Morales and Jack Perkins rather than trading away prospects, with the long‑term goal of making the A's a consistent postseason contender by 2027.
OverTheMonster’s Matt Gross narrows the Red Sox’s 2027 shortstop options to four candidates. incumbent Trevor Story struggled in 2026, posting a .235/.271/.351 line and slipping defensively, while Triple‑A hot‑shot Franklin Arias dazzled with a .323/.400/.557 slash line and 25 homers. Outsiders Elly De La Cruz impressed with a 30‑30 season, strong arm and +7 OAA, though Boston must weigh trade cost and future arbitration. Former trade‑partner C.J. Abrams offers power and speed but posted poor defense. The piece weighs talent, fit, and financial risk.
Gray declined his option with the Red Sox and could be an intriguing choice among available starters.
Red Sox right‑hander Zack Kelly clears outright waivers and becomes a free agent after his recent DFA. The 32‑year‑old posted a 3.31 ERA over 16⅓ innings this season before a right‑elbow fracture ended his campaign. In his 131 career innings, Kelly has a 4.04 ERA, 22.4% strikeout rate and a 45.4% ground‑ball rate, throwing 96 mph fastballs, a new 90‑91 mph cutter and an 81 mph slider. With three years of service time and no minor‑league options, he can sign a minor‑league deal but must stay on a major‑league roster to avoid another DFA. His free‑agency status comes amid a looming MLB lockout.
The Red Sox face looming trade questions around shortstop prospect Franklin Arias, who has dominated AAA but may become a bargaining chip despite some executives deeming him "almost untouchable." Boston Globe’s Alex Speier says a deal would require a star with multiple years of control, while MLB.com’s Ian Browne doubts a big trade, noting chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom may favor free‑agency moves, eyeing players like Randy Arozarena. Meanwhile, the club hopes injured outfielder Roman Anthony rebounds, and highlights recent Silver Slugger finalists Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu. The Sox also bolstered their staff by adding former AAA manager Shelley Duncan.
The Red Sox face a costly roster crossroads as free‑agent pitcher Sonny Gray and outfielder Jarren Duran enter 2027. Gray, 36, dazzled in 2026 with an 18‑5 record, 2.72 ERA over 169 innings and a Cy‑Young candidacy, but his mutual option was declined and a new deal could exceed $60 million. Duran, the 2018 draftee who exploded in 2024 with a .285 average, 191 hits and All‑Star MVP honors, saw his production tumble to a .207 average and a modest 20‑20 line in 2026, while arbitration projects his 2027 salary above $10 million. Boston must choose whether to invest heavily in Gray’s elite arm or move on from Duran’s declining bat, decisions that will shape the club’s 2027 outlook.
The Boston Red Sox are prioritizing a power hitter in the 2026‑27 offseason, according to The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey. While a starting pitcher like Sonny Gray is on the radar, the team eyes outfielders Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki as potential free‑agency acquisitions. Arozarena posted a .281/.865 line with 26 homers and 26 steals, earning his third All‑Star nod, while Suzuki matched the 26 home runs with a .270/.841 slash for a postseason Chicago Cubs. With a big market and ample payroll, Boston could realistically lure one of these sluggers, though player interest remains uncertain.
Nick Martinez, the 35‑year‑old swingman who helped the Rays reach the 2026 World Series with a 2.81 ERA in four appearances, enters free agency after declining a $20 million option. With a 2025 line of 31 games, 3.10 ERA, 180 innings and a $13 million salary, analysts project a $16‑22 million annual value over 1‑3 years. The article breaks down potential landing spots, highlighting the Atlanta Braves’ need for rotation stability, Boston Red Sox’s search for a reliable starter after Sonny Gray’s departure, and other suitors. Martinez’s track record of consistent, contact‑oriented pitching makes him a coveted option for teams looking to bolster depth without relying on strikeouts.
Brian Keller finally broke into the majors at age 32 after a tumultuous journey that included stints in the Yankees and Red Sox farms, a brief NPB contract, and a long Tommy John rehab. Signed by Philadelphia on May 18, 2026, he posted a 2.24 ERA in nine AAA starts before debuting on July 25 against the Yankees, delivering three innings and one run. After returning to Lehigh Valley, his performance collapsed, posting a 16‑18 K‑BB ratio and a 41‑run allowance over 30.1 innings, leaving his future uncertain as a free agent. The author grades Keller’s season a C‑.
The St. Louis Cardinals promote 34‑year‑old assistant GM Rob Cerfolio to general manager, making him the No. 2 executive under president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. Cerfolio, who joined the club two offseasons ago after serving as the Guardians’ director of player development, has spent the past two seasons focusing on player development and performance. His elevation follows his recent candidacy in the Oakland Athletics’ GM search, alongside other top prospects like Brewers’ Matt Kleine and Red Sox’s Taylor Smith.
Mariners updates lead the roundup: outfielder Randy Arozarena makes the Silver Slugger finalists list, while new manager Jason Kanzler shares his excitement for the team and faces skepticism from Ryan Blake. Elsewhere, former big‑leaguer Shelley Duncan joins the Red Sox coaching staff, the Mets add Johnny Washington as co‑hitting coach, and ex‑Angels GM Perry Minasian returns to Atlanta as a senior scouting advisor. The piece also notes a lawsuit by five retired umpires and commentary on postseason decisions and the future of the amateur draft.
After struggling down the stretch in the regular season and being swept in the AL Wild Card round, the Boston Red Sox are looking at ways to improve their roster that could include dealing from their starting lineup.
The Red Sox have some tough decisions to make coming up.
Sportsnaut’s November 6, 2026 preview predicts where the ten hottest hitters will land in the 2026‑27 free‑agency market. The article crowns Tigers’ pitcher Tarik Skubal as the top free agent but focuses on hitters: Seiya Suzuki is projected to sign a four‑year deal with Detroit, bolstering a right‑field spot that posted the league’s lowest OPS. Japan’s power‑hitting third‑baseman Teruaki Sato is expected to join the Seattle Mariners on a six‑year contract, giving the club a boost after a sub‑.700 OPS season. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is tipped for a Toronto Blue Jays utility role, while Randy Arozarena could sign a four‑year DH contract with Boston after a career‑best 113‑run year. The piece outlines each player’s recent stats, team needs, and contract length.
On July 12, 2026, the Boston Red Sox staged an unlikely comeback to beat the New York Mets at Citi Field, snapping an eight‑game winning streak and sparking a memorable mid‑season turnaround. After falling behind early against Mets left‑hander Zac Thornton, the Red Sox rallied in the eighth inning when interim manager Andy Green brought in Luke Weaver, fueling a dramatic rally that overturned a 2‑0 deficit. Highlights include Payton Tolle’s strikeout of Juan Soto, Brayan Bello’s relief work, and a crucial RBI double by Francisco Lindor before the comeback. The article reflects on the game’s place in a season of highs and lows and compares the fan’s missed moments to a similar NFL parody, underscoring how the Red Sox never gave up.
Willson Contreras' electric debut season with the Red Sox has him on the cusp of winning some hardware, though that doesn't mean the Cardinals were wrong to trade him.
The post field‑stones potential Orioles rotation upgrades, naming Minnesota’s under‑control Joe Ryan and Angels’ Reid Detmers as trade targets, though Detmers may demand a hefty package. Seattle’s Emerson Hancock is also flagged, but would require a multi‑player deal. Free‑agent options include former Oriole Kevin Gausman, 2026 Tampa Bay standout Nick Martinez, and Yankees reliever Clay Holmes. A separate query discusses signing power hitter Jake Bauers, noting his versatility but high price and the draft pick cost may deter Baltimore. The author invites more fan questions via email.
Boston’s offseason hinges on keeping ace Sonny Gray. The Red Sox, plagued by late‑season hitting woes, leaned on Gray’s 18‑5 record, 2.72 ERA and 169 innings of work after Garrett Crochet’s injury. Insider Rob Bradford says the club wants Gray back but at a price, while Gray’s free‑agent status lets him test the market. If he departs, Boston must replace an old‑school contact pitcher and possibly find a new ace, though Crochet is expected healthy for next year.
ClutchPoints breaks down the top 20 MLB trade candidates for the 2026‑27 offseason, highlighting players who could flip the balance for teams after a surprising Dodgers loss. The list starts with Colorado outfielder Jake McCarthy’s explosive season, Cincinnati’s ace‑in‑waiting Hunter Greene (despite a second Tommy John), and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández, who may become a trade chip amid a deep roster. Other notable names include Boston’s speed‑power combo Jarren Duran, Houston’s versatile third‑baseman Isaac Paredes, and Miami’s breakout shortstop Otto López. The article offers salaries, injury risks, and team needs to help clubs assess who’s worth a buy‑low move.
The Mets, reeling from a historic 2025 collapse, face a pricey free‑agent market as the lockout looms. While two‑time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal may command $325‑400 million or a 3‑year, $150 million deal, the club could pivot to more affordable arms. Options highlighted include Twins’ two‑time All‑Star Joe Ryan (30, 4.60 ERA), Padres veteran Michael King (34, playoff experience), former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara (22, 13‑4, 3.87 ERA, $21 M contract), and Boston’s 36‑year‑old Sonny Gray (18‑5, 2.72 ERA). The article weighs each pitcher’s recent performance, age, and cost as viable alternatives to Skubal.