Red Sox
The Red Sox now have over $250 million coming off the books after trading Devers.
The Red Sox’s lineup took a hit last weekend when Boston made the decision to trade star slugger Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants.
But even though the return by San Francisco may not necessarily impress Red Sox fans, Boston now does have some added flexibility moving forward if it intends to add to the roster.
As part of the Devers’ deal, the Giants are taking on the entirety of Devers’ 10-year, $313.5 million extension — which now equates to $254 million at this stage of his contract.
Those savings of roughly $27-31 million a year through 2033 could give Boston the freedom to reinvest that cash elsewhere across the roster — be it during the upcoming MLB trade deadline or free agency.
Here are eight players Red Sox fans should be keyed in on this year if Boston opts to allocate that money right away.
Kyle Tucker, RF, Chicago Cubs
At first glance, Tucker doesn’t exactly seem like an ideal offseason target for Boston.
Tucker would undoubtedly add to the glut of outfield options that the Red Sox are already dealing with between Jarren Duran, Roman Anthony, Wilyer Abreu, and Ceddanne Rafaela.
And on the open market, it’s all but a lock that Tucker will earn a contract will beyond the $313.5 million Devers secured from Boston in January 2023.
But Tucker is also the best position player available this offseason, with the 28-year-old putting together an MVP-caliber season so far with the Cubs. The three-time All-Star is currently batting .283 with Chicago and is currently on pace for over 30 home runs, 95 RBI, and over 30 stolen bases.
Tucker would be a franchise fixture in the heart of Boston’s lineup for the next seven-plus years, while also giving the Red Sox the flexibility to trade an outfielder or two to address needs elsewhere.
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman listed Tucker as a potential fit for the Red Sox earlier this week.
Dylan Cease, SP, San Diego Padres
The Red Sox have their ace in place with Garrett Crochet.
But Boston would significantly boost their viability as a top contender if they add a legitimate No. 2 option behind Crochet in their starting rotation moving forward.
As such, it wouldn’t come as much of a surprise if the Red Sox are one the teams willing to throw the bag at Cease out on the open market this winter.
The 29-year-old righty has had a lackluster season so far with San Diego (4.43 ERA) ahead of his free-agent year. But, Cease has been one of the best starters in baseball for a steady stretch, finishing second in AL Cy Young Award voting in 2022 with Chicago before placing fourth in NL Cy Young voting in 2024 with San Diego.
Cease, who is on pace to strike out 232 batters over 185 innings of work this season, has posted 200+ strikeouts each season since 2021.
He would fit the bill as an elite No. 2 for a team like the Red Sox, but would Boston once again go against the grain and give a huge contract to a starter who turns 30 at the end of December?
Michael King, SP, San Diego Padres
King is older than Cease (turned 30 on May 25) and doesn’t have the same track record as his Padres teammate.
But King was money in 2024 with San Diego, going 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts over 173.2 innings of work. He was also strong out of the gate this season (4-2, 2.59 ERA) before landing on the IL with a pinched nerve in May.
It’s unclear if the Red Sox will prioritize signing an older righty in King who now has some injury concerns this season. Granted, his price tag also may not be as high as Cease now on the open market — even if his ceiling might be comparable.
Pete Alonso, 1B, New York Mets
If the Red Sox are looking for ways to replicate Devers’ pure pop at the plate, a slugger like Alonso makes plenty of sense.
Alonso will likely opt out of his contract with New York this winter after teeing off against pitching this season. He is currently batting .293 and is on pace for 38 home runs and a whopping 135 RBI with the Mets in 2025.
The 30-year-old righty could be a lock to swat 30-plus home runs over the Green Monster if he signs with the Red Sox. And with Boston’s first-base situation now in flux moving forward following Triston Casas’ knee injury, the Red Sox could secure for some stability (and proven production) there with a power hitter like Alonso.
Josh Naylor, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks
A cheaper alternative to Alonso, Naylor has established himself as one of the more underrated hitters in baseball over the last few seasons.
In 2023, he batted .308 with 17 home runs and 97 RBI with the Guardians, following that up with 31 home runs and 108 RBI in 2024 with Cleveland. So far in 2025 with Arizona, Naylor is batting .300 and is on pace for 19 home runs and 104 RBI.
Even if his defense at first isn’t strong, the 28-year-old Naylor would be a strong addition to the lineup — especially at an area of weakness on the roster.
Zac Gallen, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
One of the more productive starters in the league over the last few years, Gallen is having a season to forget so far in 2025 — going 5-8 with a 5.60 ERA across 16 starts so far. The 29-year-old righty’s walk rate has also increased this season, but he also has two top-five finishes for the NL Cy Young in 2022 and 2023.
Gallen’s numbers might be trending in the wrong direction over the last two years, but he could also could be due for a change of scenery after spending seven seasons with Arizona. Still, teams might be weary about giving him a sizable contract given those recent trends.
Kyle Schwarber, DH, Phillies
If the Red Sox intend on adding 30-40 homers to their lineup without much hassle, giving Schwarber a contract this winter would be the best path forward.
Letting Schwarber walk after his brief stint with Boston in 2021 was a miscalculation, considering that the slugger has gone on to club 154 home runs over his four seasons so far with the Phillies. He’s on pace for 48 home runs and 114 RBI this year.
Schwarber might be a defensive liability, but the 32-year-old is an established veteran who would add some pop to Boston’s lineup.
Munetaka Murakami, 1B/3B, Tokyo Yakult Swallows (NPB)
All signs point to this being the final season in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball for the 25-year-old Murakami — who has been one of the more feared sluggers in that league for years now.
Over his eight-year career in Japan, Murakami has hit 30 or more home runs across five seasons — and set the NPB record in 2022 by hitting 56 home runs. Even if his stats dip in MLB, Murakami projects as a 30-homer infielder who is just entering his prime.
He could be a wise investment for a team like the Red Sox in need of some power in the middle of their lineup, although expect other deep-pocketed teams like the Yankees and Dodgers to be involved in the bidding.
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