As New Englanders continue to dig out from freezing temperatures and snow piled high and littered across cities and towns, one thing offers a reminder that winter won’t last forever: Red Sox spring training begins Tuesday.
That means warmer weather will slowly be making its way back north (I think)— and more importantly, baseball is officially back on the horizon.
For the Red Sox, this spring carries more weight than most. After another offseason under chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, Boston enters camp with a roster that looks markedly different in construction than it did just one year ago. The organization has leaned fully into run prevention, depth, and position versatility, creating internal competition at nearly every position — while still leaving open the door for additional moves.
As camp gets underway in Fort Myers, several questions will dominate daily conversations. Some will be answered quickly by Opening Day in Cincinnati on March 26. Others may linger well into the season.
Here are four storylines that will define Red Sox spring training, at least out the gate — and ones fans want clarity on sooner rather than later.
Will Breslow trade for another infielder?
The Red Sox reshaped their infield, adding four depth players over the past week. Boston signed two Gold Glove winners in Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Brendan Rodgers (minor league deal), while also claiming Mickey Gasper and Tsung-Che Chengoff waivers from the Nationals.
At face value, the moves signal depth-building. At a deeper level, they reinforce Breslow’s vision for how this roster is supposed to function around run prevention, supporting the deep pitching staff over the course of a full season.
Kiner-Falefa is the most significant addition of bunch this week. The 30-year-old signed a one-year, $6 million deal that includes $500,000 in incentives tied to plate appearances. While the signing has yet to be officially announced, that delay is procedural, tied to Boston waiting for camp to open so it can move players to the 60-day injured list and free up 40-man roster space.
If the Red Sox do not add another infielder before Opening Day, Kiner-Falefa is expected to open the season as the club’s starting second baseman. He can play every infield position, and while most of his career has been spent on the left side, his defensive metrics at second base are strong. In nearly 600 career innings there, he has posted +12 Defensive Runs Saved and +2 Outs Above Average.
The most important value Kiner-Falefa provides, however, is insurance at shortstop. With Trevor Story’sinjury history still a concern, Boston prioritized having a capable, experienced backup. Kiner-Falefa has appeared in 450 career games at shortstop — more than any other player currently on the roster — and gives the Sox a viable contingency plan should Story miss time.
Boston remains intent on keeping Marcelo Mayerat third base unless a trade changes that equation. The organization believes Mayer’s bat will play regardless of position, and keeping him at the hot corner allows them to protect Story while maintaining infield flexibility.
One day after signing Kiner-Falefa, Boston added another Gold Glove in Rodgers. Once the Rockies’ top prospect, Rodgers has yet to fully translate that pedigree into sustained major-league production. Over six seasons in Colorado, he posted a .726 OPS with 45 home runs and a 5.9 WAR, according to FanGraphs.
Breslow did not sign Rodgers for his bat, he's in camp to showcase his glove and has a shot to claim a spot on the 26-man roster.
Last season, Rodgers appeared in 43 games for Houston, hitting .191/.266/.278 with two home runs in 128 plate appearances. His season ended in mid-June after a frustrating run of injuries, including an oblique strain, a concussion, and a fractured nose suffered during a collision while rehabbing. Back issues later prevented him from returning.
One notable connection: Rodgers previously shared an infield with Story during their time together in Colorado. If he earns a roster spot out of camp, he gives Boston another experienced option at second base, where he has logged more than 3,700 career innings.
Gasper and Cheng, meanwhile, are unlikely to factor into Boston’s major-league infield plans this season. Both project as Triple-A depth in Worcester, and as camp progresses and roster decisions loom, they could become DFA candidates.
Kiner-Falefa and Rodgers will compete with David Hamilton, Nick Sogard, and Nate Eaton for roster spots, while Mikey Romero represents another young infielder who could push his way into the conversation with a strong spring.
Romero reached Triple-A at just 21 years old—an impressive milestone given the injuries that slowed him during his first two full professional seasons—and led all Red Sox minor leaguers with 54 extra-base hits. He has sneaky plus raw power and belted a career-high 17 home runs in 2025. He will begin the season with Worcester as the Sox evaluate how much more time he needs to spend hitting advanced Triple-A pitching before getting the call to the bigs.
Kristian Campbellrepresents another right-handed hitting option, but the organization views him as an everyday player. As a result, he appears destined to open the season with the WooSox to ensure he receives consistent at-bats rather than being deployed in a part-time role.
Isaac Paredes reaches the Crawford Boxes for a big go-ahead home run! pic.twitter.com/VzoO3EBrO4— MLB (@MLB) April 13, 2025
Despite all that depth, one external name continues to hover around the Red Sox: Astros infielder Isaac Paredes.
On the Feb. 7 episode of Crush City Territory, Chandler Rome of The Athleticreported that trade talks involving Paredes have intensified, with as many as five teams showing aggressive interest — including the Red Sox and Pirates.
Paredes checks nearly every box for Boston. His Baseball Savantspray chart fits Fenway Park perfectly, and his offensive profile aligns with what the Red Sox lack. Last season, he hit 20 home runs with an .809 OPS in 102 games. Since 2022, he owns the second-highest walk rate among qualified third basemen while striking out just 17.3 percent of the time. Perhaps most importantly, he’s affordable, and is set to earn $9.35 million this season and remains under team control through 2027.
Houston has been linked to Wilyer Abreu, but Boston has no interest in moving him. Jarren Duran’sname has surfaced, though the Astros are reportedly hesitant to absorb his salary and want to have flexibility to make moves during the regular season.
With Jose Altuve returning to second base, Brice Matthews expected to see time, and Carlos Correa locked in at third, Houston appears motivated to move Paredes. While a DH role is possible, Yordan Alvarez and Christian Walkerneed regular at-bats, leaving Breslow positioned to pounce if the Astros need a resolution.
Rotation is loaded
The Red Sox enter spring training with an abundance of starting pitching, a rarity in today’s game. On paper, the rotation is Boston’s greatest strength — and its biggest roster puzzle, but in a good way.
Garrett Crochet leads the group, supported by Ranger Suárez, Sonny Gray, Brayan Bello, Johan Oviedo, Kutter Crawford, Patrick Sandoval, Connelly Early, and Payton Tolle. There’s been no shortage of analysis on Crochet, Suárez, and Gray this offseason, and I’ll spare you the regurgitated information on that trio.
A six-man rotation is not ideal, but it remains a possibility early, particularly if Crawford shows he’s fully healthy.
Crawford missed all of last season after undergoing knee and wrist surgery following a 2024 campaign in which he led the team in starts (33) and innings (183 2/3). That year was a tale of two halves. Before the All-Star break, Crawford carried a 3.00 ERA and looked like an All-Star. After the break, he struggled badly, posting a 6.59 ERA while allowing 34 home runs on the season.
Now healthy, Crawford offers Boston flexibility. He can start, serve as a bulk-innings arm, or help manage workloads early in the year.
Patrick Sandovalrepresents another variable for the backend of the rotation. He missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery and has been exclusively a starter throughout his career. Owed $12.75 million, Sandoval could factor as a swingman or address Boston’s need for another left-handed bullpen arm if he remains on the roster.
Connelly Early's first 9 MLB innings: 0 R 16 K pic.twitter.com/p1IT03p1nZ— MLB (@MLB) September 16, 2025
Connelly Earlyis perhaps the most intriguing name in the group. After an impressive run last season that included starting Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Yankees, Early made the biggest leap among Boston’s pitching prospects. He showed improved command, polish, and physical durability after adding muscle to his frame. If he fails to win a roster spot, he will start the season with the WooSox in an effort to get regular starts under his belt before earning another big league call up.
The bullpen isn't exactly deep, but Boston has plenty of options to get a shot at securing a spot in camp. Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock, Justin Slaten, and Greg Weissert are effectively locks.
Chapman enters 2026 coming off one of the best seasons of his career. The veteran southpaw was named an All-Star for the eighth time after posting a dominant 1.17 ERA across 67 appearances in 2025. He struck out 85 batters, recorded a career-low 0.70 WHIP, and at one point retired 50 consecutive hitters during a two-month stretch.
Boston rewarded Chapman with a one-year, $13.3 million extension that includes a club option for 2027. He will be the straw that stirs the drink in the backend of the bullpen and the Red Sox will need another strong season from the left-hander if they want to make a deep postseason run.
Jovani Moran, Ryan Watson, and Tyler Samaniegowill battle for the remaining spots, with Watson needing to stay on the 26-man roster all season as a Rule 5 pick.
Boston could still add to the bullpen once it opens 60-day injured list spots. Non-roster relievers worth monitoring include left-hander Alec Gamboa, coming off a strong season in Korea, and right-hander Kyle Keller, who reportedly signed a minor-league deal after a productive four-year run in Japan.
Masataka Yoshida complicates the roster
If there’s one contract that continues to complicate Boston’s roster construction, it’s Masataka Yoshida’s.
The veteran outfielder has two years and $36 million remaining on his deal and has yet to live up to expectations since signing a five-year, $90 million contract. Over three seasons, Yoshida has logged 1,206 plate appearances, slashing .282/.337/.425 with a .762 OPS. His best season came in 2023, when he hit .289 with 15 home runs and a .783 OPS. Since then, his offensive impact has declined, including a .695 OPS in 2025.
After spending his entire career in Japan, Yoshida struggled with the physical grind of the MLB schedule. He underwent TMJ surgery late in 2023, missed time in 2024 with a left thumb strain, and later required surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder — an injury that carried into 2025 and landed him on the 60-day injured list.
Yoshida hits a HR to tie up the game in New York 🔥🔥 (via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/bT6IfN8Whc— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 6, 2024
Boston has explored trading Yoshida in the past, including attempts to attach Triston Casasin talks with Seattle, but nothing materialized. With a crowded outfield, Yoshida is essentially limited to DH duties unless he is designated for assignment.
Casas’ eventual return will further complicate matters. Likely back in May, Casas will need regular at-bats and may begin with a minor-league rehab assignment as he works back from a torn patellar tendon. With options remaining, Boston could extend his stay in Worcester to help him regain timing.
With Duran, Abreu, Roman Anthony, and Ceddanne Rafaelaahead of him, Yoshida has no path to outfield playing time and at some point, Breslow may need to eat salary and attach prospects to move the one-dimensional bat.
Red Sox players heading to the World Baseball Classic
Major League Baseball announced rosters for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and Boston will be well represented. Eleven Red Sox players will participate, including: Garrett Whitlock (USA), Ranger Suárez, Willson Contreras, and Wilyer Abreu (Venezuela), Brayan Bello (Dominican Republic), Jarren Duran (Mexico), Ceddanne Rafaela (Netherlands), Masataka Yoshida (Japan), Greg Weissert (Italy), Jovani Moran (Puerto Rico), and Nate Eaton (Great Britain).
Several minor leaguers will also take part, including right-hander Jack Anderson (Great Britain), Tayron Guerrero (Colombia), and left-hander Eduardo Rivera (Puerto Rico). Assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson and High-A Greenville manager Liam Carrollwill serve on Great Britain’s coaching staff.
Injuries are always a concern, but representing their home countries on baseball’s biggest international stage remains important to players — and another sign of the sport’s continued global growth.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Tigers lock in dominance as Skubal wins big arbitration case
The Detroit Tigers made waves this week on multiple fronts, beginning with ace Tarik Skubalwinning his arbitration hearing against the club. Skubal will earn $32 million in his final season of arbitration eligibility after the Tigers submitted a notably low $19 million figure.
Just one day before the arbitration ruling became public, Detroit doubled down on pitching dominance by signing left-hander Framber Valdez to a three-year, $115.5 million contract. The move immediately gives the Tigers arguably the American League’s most imposing 1–2 punch atop the rotation—a duo rivaled only by staffs in Boston, Toronto, or Seattle.
Skubal’s arbitration victory surpasses Juan Soto’s$31 million mark and reflects his elite standing after back-to-back Cy Young Awards. With free agency looming after the season, 2026 is likely Skubal’s final year in Detroit, making the Valdez signing a clear hedge against potentially losing the game’s best left-hander.
Detroit’s rotation depth doesn’t stop there: Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, Reese Olson, and Troy Meltonare all expected to factor into the starting mix, giving the Tigers one of the league’s deepest pitching staffs heading into the season.
Javier Báez suspended from 2026 World Baseball Classic
Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez has received a two-year suspension that will prevent him from participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Báez tested positive for marijuana during drug testing conducted on March 12, 2023, while competing in the World Baseball Classic for Puerto Rico. The suspension—issued by the World Baseball Softball Confederation—runs from April 26, 2024 through April 26, 2026, covering the entirety of the 2026 tournament (March 5–17).
Notably, Báez was not suspended by MLB or the Tigers and continued to play during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Remembering Terrance Gore
In sad news, Terrance Gore, an eight-year MLB veteran renowned for his dynamic baserunning, has passed away at the age of 34.
Gore was a member of three World Series championship teams, carving out a unique career as one of baseball’s most impactful late-inning speed threats. He is survived by his wife, Britney, and their three children. The family resided in Panama City, Florida, where Gore worked as a speed and baseball trainer while also coaching his son’s baseball team.
Yasiel Puig convicted
Former All-Star outfielder Yasiel Puig, who last appeared in the majors in 2019, was found guilty of lying to federal law enforcement officials in connection with illegal gambling activities.
Puig, 35, was convicted by a Los Angeles jury on one count of obstruction of justice and one count of making false statements. He faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison for obstruction and five years for the false-statement charge. Puig remains free pending sentencing, scheduled for May 26.
Ohtani, Japan set to defend WBC crown—as a hitter only
Shohei Ohtaniand Japan will look to defend their World Baseball Classic title in 2026, three years after defeating Team USA in a classic championship game.
Ohtani famously struck out then-teammate Mike Troutto clinch Japan’s third WBC title in five tournaments. Since that moment, the now-Dodgers superstar has added three MVP awards and two World Series championships to his résumé.
However, Ohtani will not pitch in the 2026 WBC and is expected to be used exclusively as a hitter as Japan chases another international crown.
