5 under-the-radar free agents that might make sense for Red Sox

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox still have some needs to address in the field and in the bullpen this offseason after swinging a pair of trades for starting pitchers.

By Conor Roche

December 6, 2025 | 4:14 PM

4 minutes to read

Ahead of this week’s Winter Meetings, much of the free-agent rumors surrounding the Red Sox have been focused on Alex Bregman, Kyle Schwarber, and Pete Alonso. Bo Bichette’s name has also joined that group as Boston seeks to add an impactful bat this offseason.

Even if the Red Sox land one of those hitters this offseason, they’ll need more help beyond that as chief baseball officer Craig Breslow continues to round out the roster. Breslow has already gotten busy, adding a pair of starting pitchers in trades over the last couple of weeks.

But Boston still has some holes to address in the field and in the bullpen. So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at five free agents who haven’t been discussed as much that might make sense for the Red Sox to pursue in the coming weeks.

1B Rhys Hoskins

If the Red Sox feel confident that Triston Casas can play first base on a regular basis again, Hoskins could be an option to help spell Casas and lessen his load.

The 32-year-old right-handed hitting Hoskins had another productive season in 2025. He hit .237 with a .748 OPS and 12 home runs with the Brewers last season, but he only played in 90 games due to a thumb injury. He also had a .332 on-base percentage as he’s been one of the better hitters in the league in terms of drawing walks dating back to his time with the Phillies.

Hoskins definitely isn’t the same player he was just a few years ago in Philadelphia after missing the 2023 season due to an ACL tear. But the Red Sox could certainly do worse than him if they’re looking to make an addition at first base.

OF Harrison Bader

This one’s probably dependent on how the Red Sox manage their outfield glut and whether they trade Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, or both this offseason. But even with their outfield surplus, the Red Sox might need to add a right-handed outfield bat this offseason, especially if they keep one of Duran or Abreu.

Bader could be the guy for that platoon role. He’s hit .245 with a .760 OPS and 32 homers in 748 at-bats against lefties over his nine-year career.

But Bader will probably get offered the opportunity to be a regular starter in the outfield by some ballclub this offseason, considering how well he played in 2025. Bader, 31, hit .277 with a .796 OPS, 17 home runs, and 54 RBIs over 146 games between the Twins and Phillies. His defense is also considered among the best for outfielders, winning a Gold Glove in 2021.

Multiple outlets (The Athletic, MLB Trade Rumors, ESPN) project that Bader will receive a multi-year deal as well. Would the Red Sox want to make that sort of investment for an outfielder in free agency? Again, that’ll likely depend on what they do with Duran and Abreu, as well as if they’re able to move Masataka Yoshida to open up the designated hitter spot.

If the Red Sox opt to pursue Bader, though, they could form the best defensive outfield in baseball with him, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Abreu in the fold. Of course, the Red Sox could also just opt to bring back Rob Refsnyder to help fill the right-handed hitting outfielder platoon role, which would likely come at a cheaper investment.

INF Ha-Seong Kim

If the Red Sox lose Alex Bregman in free agency, they might have to address their middle infield in some way as Marcelo Mayer will likely become their top candidate to play third base.

In that scenario, Kim might become a top option for the Red Sox to play second base. The 30-year-old South Korean enters free agency following a bit of a down year, hitting .234 with a .649 OPS in 2025. But Kim turned down the $16 million player option he had for 2026 with the Braves, who absorbed his contract after he was waived by the Rays late in the season.

Kim was recovering from a shoulder injury, though, which prematurely ended his 2024 season with the Padres, missing the three months of the 2025 season as a result. The fact that he turned down $16 million likely means that there’s some confidence on the open market that he can produce at the level he did during his four seasons with the Padres.

If Kim can get back to that level, he’d become one of the better middle infielders in baseball. In his last full season, Kim hit .260 with a .749 OPS, 17 home runs, and 60 RBIs as he earned MVP votes and won a Gold Glove at second base with the Padres in 2023.

Kim could also be an enticing addition for the Red Sox if they trade Duran this offseason. He averaged 19.5 stolen bases per season during his time in San Diego, which could help fill the need for speed on the basepaths following a possible Duran trade.

INF Willi Castro

Castro is also another middle-infield option the Red Sox could pursue in the event they lose Bregman this offseason.

The 28-year-old isn’t as dynamic as Kim, failing to put up a season as strong as Kim’s 2023 campaign. He’s also coming off a relatively down year at the plate, hitting .226 with a .679 OPS, 11 home runs, and 33 RBIs in 120 games between the Twins and Cubs.

But Castro was an All-Star in 2024, when he hit .247 with 12 homers, and stole 33 bases in 2023. He’s also a switch-hitter and has played every position but pitcher, first base, and catcher in his MLB career. So, Castro would give the Red Sox some flexibility, while he could seemingly platoon at second base with Romy Gonzalez.

LHP Taylor Rogers

The Red Sox need lefty arms in their bullpen. After dealing Brennan Bernardino to the Rockies in November, Aroldis Chapman is the only MLB-proven lefty reliever on the Red Sox’ 40-man roster.

But there aren’t many standout lefty arms available in free agency. So, Breslow might have to get a bit shrewd in order to get that lefty bullpen arm.

If the Red Sox want to get the best possible left-handed reliever, though, Rogers is among the top options. The 35-year-old lefty has done a pretty good job at inducing strikeouts for much of his career, striking out 10.9 hitters per nine innings pitched since 2021.

Rogers has largely found success with his sweeper and sinker as well, which could be enticing for the Red Sox. His sweeper has generated a whiff rate of over 30 percent throughout his career.

Rogers went 3-2 with a 3.38 ERA in 50 2/3 innings pitched over 57 appearances between the Reds and Cubs last season.