∗ We’re into 2026 now and the clock is ticking for the Red Sox. So far this winter, they’ve upgraded their starting rotation and addressed the vacancy at first base.
But the additions of Sonny Gray, Johan Oviedo and Willson Contreras aren’t enough — not if the Red Sox intend to keep pace with the rest of the division.
As currently constituted, the Red Sox are merely back to a net zero. If you swap out what’s expected from Contreras offensively, they’ve replicated Alex Bregman’s offensive contributions from a year ago, but haven’t gotten any better.
Now that Arizona’s Mike Hazen has said a trade involving Ketel Marte is pretty much off the table, it’s patently obvious that they need (at least) one more significant move to be considered true contenders. If it’s re-signing Bregman, that would mean Marcelo Mayer takes over at second base. If it means signing Bo Bichette, that would shift Mayer to third.
Either way, the Sox need to lengthen their lineup with a significant run-producing bat. Bregman also offers improved defense and a considerable off-field presence; Bichette is younger, puts the ball in play, and hits all kind of pitching.
One or the other has to get done. Otherwise, the Red Sox consign themselves to the middle of the pack in the American League and will have wasted a prime opportunity.
∗ Outside of the people who were in the room at the time of the incidents, no one knows for certain what happened with Stefon Diggs and Christian Barmore. Both are presumed innocent for now, which is as it should be.
But the Patriots face a tricky path here with both players. The team was intentional in adding “we support” Diggs in the statement that was released, while such a declaration was conspicuous by its absence for the one involving Barmore. Presumably, as both incidents are weeks (or months) old, the Patriots have more information about the evidence than the general public.
What’s clear is this: the all-too-familiar refrain from fans of “Why did she wait until now to report this?’ was both unfounded and ignorant. And it’s disrespectful to all victims of alleged domestic abuse to label these incidents ”a distraction,
Some Things I Think I Think: Red Sox better have one big move left in offseason
