Three Offseason Free Agents Red Sox Could Target After Rafael Devers Trade

Now that much of the shock and awe has worn off following the Red Sox’s shocking trade of Rafael Devers on Sunday, attention is starting to shift to how the team will reallocate the savings after offloading his $250 million salary.

There’s little doubt that general manager Craig Breslow and his baseball operations department will look into new and creative ways to spend that money on future talent.

Whether or not Breslow and Co. choose to do that via in-season trades remains to be seen, but taking a peek at the upcoming 2026 free agent class, there are a few names that are certainly intriguing.

Let’s take a look at a couple of players that could be on the Red Sox radar during the next offseason.

New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz
The future of the Red Sox’s closer situation is unclear beyond this season, with Aroldis Chapman slated to hit free agency and Liam Hendriks and the team holding a mutual option for 2026. Chapman has been lights out in the ninth inning so far this season, so it’s possible the team and player consider a reunion during the next offseason.

In the event that the team does go in another direction with the closer role, the Red Sox could use some of that money to sign a marquee name such as New York Mets stopper Edwin Díaz.

Díaz has an opt-out after the 2025 season. The 31-year-old two-time National League All-Star could test his value on the free agent market should he continue to dominate this season.

In nine seasons, Díaz has saved 240 games with the Mets and Seattle Mariners. He’s also produced a 2.95 ERA, 783 strikeouts, 1.05 WHIP, and a 11.8 bWAR in that span.

Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez
Next offseason’s free agent class for starting pitching is a bit of a mixed bag. With Tarik Skubal’s free agency nearly two seasons away, household names such as Dylan Cease, Chris Sale, Zac Gallen, and Framber Valdez are the most dynamic on the market.

Current Red Sox starting pitcher Walker Buehler and the team hold a mutual option for next season, but should he depart, Houston Astros right-hander Framber Valdez checks off a lot of boxes that make him a name to watch.

A two-time All-Star and 2022 World Series champion, Valdez has spent nearly his entire career pitching in big postseason games with the Astros. That experience could be something the Red Sox covet, considering the youth movement currently that’s well underway in Boston.

During his eight-year career, Valdez has produced a record of 75-45, 962 strikeouts, 3.28 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 17.3 bWAR. With the money saved from the Devers deal, and Alex Cora’s ties to the Astros organization, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Red Sox kick the tires on Valdez during the offseason.

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins
The Red Sox were dealt a major blow when first baseman Tristan Casas ruptured his left patellar tendon on May 2 and was lost for the rest of the season. Replacing his production was never going to be easy, yet the team has recently found a solution with the platoon of Abraham Toro and Romy González paying dividends so far for Alex Cora.

What the team decides to do with the position in the future remains anyone’s best guess. With Casas likely to be working his way back on the field early next season, the team could explore signing or trading for a stopgap to provide more thump in the Red Sox’s lineup in the short term.

That brings us to eight-year Major League veteran Rhys Hoskins. The right-handed slugger, who has spent time with the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers, has plenty of pop in his bat and a swing that’s tailor-made for Fenway Park. If the team opts to explore short-term and relatively cheap solutions while Casas recovers from his injury, Hoskins fits the profile of being the right guy for the job.

A career .238 hitter with 184 home runs and 524 RBI to his name, Hoskins’ postseason experience and veteran leadership would make him an ideal candidate for the Red Sox to sign if they want to stabilize the first base position until Casas is finally healthy. Some of the value from signing Hoskins could then be reallocated toward making a run at Skubal during the 2027 offseason.