Red Sox Roster Projection 3.0: New Predictions After MLB Winter Meetings

The Boston Red Sox leave the MLB winter meetings in Dallas with their first massive move of the offseason.

No, Juan Soto and Max Fried did not find their way to Boston. What the Red Sox did do was find their frontline starter for 2025 and beyond. Boston sent four prospects to the Chicago White Sox for Garrett Crochet.

That’s the second trade for a White Sox ace for the Red Sox in eight years. Boston hopes this move has similar results to the previous one that brought Chris Sale to the franchise.

The Red Sox still have plenty of work to do in the next phase of the offseason to fill holes and further strengthen the roster.

Here’s how activity from the winter meetings could impact Boston’s roster moves entering next season.

CATCHERS
Connor Wong
James McCann

Since the last projection, Kyle Teel is off to Chicago as the headlining prospect in the return to the White Sox. Connor Wong should remain the starter in 2025 and Boston had been linked to James McCann as a backup option during the week.

INFIELDERS
Triston Casas
Nolan Arenado
Trevor Story
Kristian Campbell
Romy González

Let’s project another trade!

The Red Sox still need some pop from a right-handed hitter and it feels like Arenado may be a likelier path than signing Alex Bregman and Teoscar Hernández. Boston could get creative in a deal with St. Louis to balance contracts and player returns.

OUTFIELDERS
Jarren Duran
Ceddanne Rafaela
Roman Anthony
Rob Refsnyder

We’ve also added Anthony with an optimistic projection that baseball’s top prospect will make the Opening Day roster out of spring training.

DESIGNATED HITTER
Rafael Devers

Alex Cora and Craig Breslow have been adamant that Rafael Devers is not moving from third base.

But wouldn’t that change if they added an elite defender like Arenado to man the hot corner? We’ll say for the sake of the scenario that would be the ensuing shakeup after a potential deal with St. Louis.

Now, Devers can solely focus on the strengths in his offensive game and further embrace his role as the driving force of the Red Sox lineup.

STARTING PITCHERS
Garrett Crochet
Walker Buehler
Tanner Houck
Lucas Giolito
Brayan Bello

Boston has its horse to lead the rotation after the move to get Crochet. The Red Sox have pitching depth behind them with spot start options in Richard Fitts, Quinn Priester, Hunter Dobbins and Cooper Criswell. Kutter Crawford can join that group if Boston can (and should) add one more impact starter.

Among the second-tier free agent options on the board, Buehler still gets hitters out and would bring championship pedigree to the clubhouse.

BULLPEN
Liam Hendriks (Closer)
Justin Slaten
Tanner Scott
Josh Winckowski
Garrett Whitlock
Aroldis Chapman
Justin Wilson
Luis Guerrero

Nothing’s changed here since the 2.0 projection, so let’s recap for the Red Sox.

Boston already made a pair of additions to this group this offseason with the signings of Wilson and Chapman. Whitlock and Winckowski should respond well to work in the middle innings.

The final addition should absolutely be Scott.