Red Sox to Tweak Bullpen Instead of Making Big Additions

The Boston Red Sox aren’t hiding what they want this offseason. They’re gunning for a top-tier starting pitcher and a real threat in the middle of the lineup, not a total bullpen overhaul.

Relief pitching will get some tweaks, sure. But chief baseball officer Craig Breslow seems set on smart, targeted moves that make sense with the group they’ve got.

Boston Locks Down the Ninth Inning Early

Breslow wasted no time locking up Aroldis Chapman. The veteran closer kept things steady last year, so Boston handed him a one-year, $13.3 million deal and took the drama out of the ninth inning.

Whitlock Ready for Setup Duties

Now that the closer spot is set, Garrett Whitlock will step in as the main setup guy. He finished last season on a high note and showed he can handle the bridge from the middle innings to Chapman.

That kind of stability lets Boston focus their cash and attention elsewhere.

A Different Approach to Bullpen Construction

There’s been chatter about free agent reliever Devin Williams, but Breslow doesn’t seem interested in splurging on big-name bullpen arms. He’s looking for affordable, short-term options to add depth instead of going after expensive closers.

Contrast with Previous Offseason Strategies

This isn’t how things went under Chaim Bloom, who liked chasing after high-profile relievers. Breslow’s approach feels more careful — he’s picking his spots, keeping the budget flexible, and aiming for a more balanced roster.

Exploring the Relief Market

The free agent pool is loaded with relievers who could sign short-term deals. You’ve got names like:

• Edwin Díaz
• Robert Suarez
• Raisel Iglesias

Breslow says they’ll hunt for the right fit instead of just grabbing the biggest names. The front office is watching for pitchers who can handle specific matchups without locking up payroll for years.

Replacing Left-Handed Depth

With Justin Wilson and Steven Matz hitting free agency, Boston needs at least one lefty. Still, Breslow isn’t going to box himself in — if a righty makes more sense, he’ll go for it.

Internal Options Offer Versatility

Boston already has a few arms in-house who could step up. Some right-handed options:

• Justin Slaten
• Greg Weissert
• Zack Kelly
• Jordan Hicks

Some starters might even shift to the bullpen if needed. That flexibility could come in handy down the stretch.

Focusing on Game-Changing Talent

The big goals this winter? Land an ace and a real slugger for the heart of the order. A top starter can change the whole rotation, and a power bat would make every pitcher sweat right from the first pitch.

Why This Strategy Matters

Recent Red Sox seasons really put the spotlight on what happens when you pour too much into one area and leave the rest lacking. Breslow wants to avoid that, so he’s spreading the impact more intentionally this time around.

His goal? Build a roster that can actually stay in the mix for years—without losing all that future flexibility everyone keeps talking about.

Boston’s winter is shaping up around one big arm and one big bat. The bullpen will get some tweaks, but those moves won’t steal the show.

Fans can look forward to a deeper relief corps, though it probably won’t have a bunch of superstars. That’s a conscious choice, and maybe a smart one, if the club wants to keep up in the AL East for more than just a season or two.

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Here is the source article for this story: Why Red Sox aim to ‘tweak’ one area of roster — instead of making big additions to it