Boston Red Sox - NFBC | High Stakes Fantasy Baseball

Boston Red Sox

NFC | High Stakes Fantasy Sports

News
Triston Casas Triston Casas Unlikely to be ready Opening Day Fri, Jan 16, 2026, 8:47 AM Casas (knee) said last week that being ready for Opening Day would be a "tight squeeze," Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports. Analysis: Casas added that doctors have told him a typical recovery from patellar tendon surgery is 12 months, which would point to him being ready for his season debut around May 1. The first baseman has been rehabbing at Boston's spring training facility in Florida this offseason and hopes to play in some spring training games. The Red Sox traded for Willson Contreras in December to take over at first base, so they can proceed cautiously with Casas' rehab.
Ranger Suarez Ranger Suarez Lands five-year deal with Boston Wed, Jan 14, 2026, 1:23 PM The Red Sox signed Suarez to a five-year, $130 million contract Wednesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. Analysis: After watching Alex Bregman walk out the door, the Red Sox have pivoted to further bolstering their rotation with Suarez. The left-hander has never thrown more than 157.1 innings in a regular season, but Suarez boasts a 3.25 ERA over 143 regular-season appearances since the beginning of the 2021 campaign. Suarez also has an excellent postseason track record, having collected a 1.48 ERA and 44:13 K:BB across 42.2 frames.
Willson Contreras Willson Contreras Pegged for cleanup spot Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 10:16 AM Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Saturday that he expects Contreras to be his cleanup hitter this season, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. Analysis: Things could change based on additional moves the Red Sox make this offseason, but as things stand right now, Contreras is penciled into the No. 4 spot. Jarren Duran, Trevor Story and Roman Anthony appear likely to hit in the first three spots of the batting order, setting Contreras up for plenty of RBI opportunities. Acquired via trade from the Cardinals in December, Contreras slashed 257/.344/.447 with 20 home runs over 562 plate appearances with St. Louis in 2025.
Kutter Crawford Kutter Crawford Throws off mound Sat, Jan 10, 2026, 10:47 AM Crawford (wrist) threw off a mound Friday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports. Analysis: Crawford sat out the entire 2025 season while recovering from both a knee injury and surgery on his wrist. Friday marked the first time he's worked off a mound since going under the knife in July. The 29-year-old righty said Saturday that he is now fully healthy but is a bit behind schedule compared to his typical offseason progression, which may impact his chances of making the Red Sox's rotation immediately out of spring training.
Seth Martinez Seth Martinez Signs with Red Sox as NRI Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 3:30 PM The Red Sox signed Martinez to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Andrew Parker of SoxProspects.com reports. Analysis: Martinez has produced a 4.00 ERA and 126:57 K:BB over 144 innings covering parts of five major-league seasons. The 31-year-old will try to win a spot in the Boston bullpen but is likely ticketed for Triple-A Worcester to begin the 2026 campaign.
Romy Gonzalez Romy Gonzalez Settles at $1.6 million Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 4:02 PM Gonzalez agreed to a one-year, $1.6 million contract with the Red Sox on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. Analysis: After enjoying a breakout season in his first year with the Red Sox in 2024, Gonzalez continued to improve in '25 and finished the regular season with a .305/.343/.483 slashline alongside nine homers, 53 RBI, 47 runs scored and six steals across 341 plate appearances. He'll receive an $826,000 raise as a reward for his continued progression and enters 2026 as the frontrunner for regular reps at second base.
Triston Casas Triston Casas Gets $1.61 million from BoSox Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 3:54 PM Casas (knee) agreed to a one-year, $1.61 million contract with the Red Sox on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. Analysis: Casas' 2025 campaign was disappointing, to say the least, as he slashed just .182/.277/.303 across 112 plate appearances before suffering a season-ending knee injury in May. His path to regular playing time at first base has seemingly disappeared as well, following the Red Sox's acquisition of Willson Contreras (shoulder) from St. Louis in December. It's worth noting that Casas has minor-league options remaining, so the team may decide to send him back to Triple-A Worcester if his struggles continue into spring training.
Tanner Houck Tanner Houck Settles with Red Sox Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 12:58 PM Houck (elbow) avoided arbitration with the Red Sox by signing a one-year, $4.15 million contract Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. Analysis: Houck never found his footing on the mound in 2025, putting up an 8.04 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 43.2 innings before elbow trouble ended his season in May. He underwent hybrid UCL repair surgery in mid-August to address the issue and is aiming to return around the end of the 2026 season, though he may have to wait until 2027 to rejoin Boston's rotation.
Johan Oviedo Johan Oviedo Gets $1.55 million from Boston Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 12:49 PM Oviedo signed a one-year, $1.55 million contract with the Red Sox on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports. Analysis: A lat strain prevented Oviedo from making his first appearance of 2025 until August, at which point he turned in a 3.57 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 40.1 innings in nine starts with the Pirates. After being traded to Boston in December, the 27-year-old will take in a $700,000 raise from his new club and look to win a spot in the Sox's rotation during spring training.
Kutter Crawford Kutter Crawford Avoids arbitration with Red Sox Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 9:19 AM The Red Sox and Crawford (wrist) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.75 million contract Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. Analysis: Crawford will receive the same salary in 2026 after he missed the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury and then right wrist surgery. The hurler is expected to be ready in time for Opening Day, though it's possible he's slow-played at the beginning of spring training. Assuming health, Crawford is set to compete for a spot in Boston's rotation.
Devin Sweet Devin Sweet Catches on with Boston Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 2:29 PM Sweet signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Dec. 18. Analysis: The 29-year-old right-handed reliever previously saw action in the big leagues during the 2023 season, when he made seven total appearances between the Mariners and Athletics. He pitched exclusively at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in the Phillies organization in 2025, logging a 5.47 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 50:30 K:BB over 52.2 innings.
Marcelo Mayer Marcelo Mayer Should be ready Opening Day Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 6:11 AM Mayer (wrist) is expected to be read for Opening Day, Lauren Campbell of MassLive.com reports. Analysis: Mayer is recovering from last August's right wrist arthroscopy that ended his season after 44 games. Offseason updates suggested he could have played in the postseason had Boston extended its run, which suggests Mayer will be available for spring training. Depending on roster additions, the 23-year-old infielder could play one of three infield positions: second base, shortstop or third base. Mayer could return to shortstop, the position he played prior to the Red Sox drafting him in 2021, due to a downturn in shortstop Trevor Story's defense (minus-9 OAA) in 2025. In that scenario, Story would move to second base.
Triston Casas Triston Casas Could begin season in minors Mon, Dec 22, 2025, 9:13 AM Casas (knee) could begin the season at Triple-A Worcester following Boston's acquisition of Willson Contreras (shoulder), Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Casas is working his way back from surgery to repair a ruptured left patellar tendon and could be ready to go Opening Day. However, with Contreras added to the mix, the Red Sox could choose to proceed cautiously with Casas, who has minor-league options remaining. A trade of an outfielder (likely Jarren Duran) could allow both Contreras and Casas to play regularly between first base and designated hitter, though Masataka Yoshida also looms as a DH option. A clearer plan for Casas should be revealed during spring training.
Willson Contreras Willson Contreras Will split reps at first base/DH Mon, Dec 22, 2025, 8:49 AM The Red Sox plan to have Contreras (shoulder) split his playing time between first base and designated hitter, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Triston Casas' recovery from a ruptured patellar tendon is coming along well and there's a chance he's ready for Opening Day, but the acquisition of Contreras allows the Red Sox to slow-play Casas, if needed. Contreras is coming back from a shoulder injury of his own but is expected to be fine for spring training. When both players are healthy, they should soak up most of the reps between first base and DH, though Casas does have minor-league options remaining.
Willson Contreras Willson Contreras Headed to Boston Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 7:01 PM St. Louis traded Contreras (shoulder) to the Red Sox on Sunday for a package that includes pitcher Hunter Dobbins (knee), Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: Contreras spent the past three seasons with St. Louis after beginning his career with seven campaigns as a Cub. He transitioned to first base full time last year, with all 120 of his appearances in the field coming at that position after he spent his first nine seasons primarily as a catcher. Contreras reportedly informed Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom in September that he was unwilling to waive his no-trade clause, but Passan's report suggests that the 33-year-old has since had a change of heart. He'll fill a considerable gap for the Red Sox, as they lost Abraham Toro to free agency Friday and DFA'd Nathaniel Lowe in November. Contreras' loss of catcher eligibility reduces his fantasy appeal considerably, but he showed in his final season in St. Louis that he can still be moderately productive, slashing .257/.344/.447 with 20 home runs, 80 RBI, 70 runs and five stolen bases over 562 plate appearances. He ended the campaign on the IL due to a right shoulder strain, though it's unclear if that injury will impact his readiness for spring training.
Kristian Campbell Kristian Campbell Team's preferred position is LF Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 10:01 AM The Red Sox's preferred position for Campbell moving forward is left field, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. Analysis: Campbell was Boston's Opening Day second baseman in 2025, and he also saw starts in left field and center field with the big club. Additionally, the 23-year-old added first base and right field to his resume down the stretch at Triple-A Worcester. The Red Sox aren't ruling out Campbell playing multiple positions again in 2026, but chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said of Campbell's defense that the club has discussed "trying to narrow that a little bit and just giving him some stability and consistency." The Red Sox already have Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu and Roman Anthony vying for playing time in the outfield, so it's difficult to see an immediate path to playing time for Campbell even if Duran is traded. Campbell has been serving as a designated hitter in the Puerto Rican Winter League but is expected to see reps in left field soon. It seems likely that Campbell will open 2026 back at Worcester, where he spent the final three-and-a-half months of the 2025 season after hitting just .223/.319/.345 in the majors.
Wilyer Abreu Wilyer Abreu Will face more lefties in 2026 Tue, Dec 9, 2025, 7:43 PM The Red Sox plan to challenge Abreu to face more left-handers this coming season, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. Analysis: Abreu has mostly been limited right-handers since his MLB arrival in 2023, but the Red Sox are ready to give him a shot against all starters. "With Willy and some of the lefties, we have to see if they can do it," manager Alex Cora said. "It's about that time, especially with Abreu. If he can hit lefties and hit for power and play defense the way he's done the last few years, he can be the guy." Abreu's made just 15 starts against lefties and has 145 total plate appearances since 2023, struggling to a .205 average and .589 OPS.
Triston Casas Triston Casas Spending winter in Fort Myers Tue, Dec 9, 2025, 7:08 PM Casas (knee) has been at Boston's training facility in Fort Myers since the end of the regular season, Lauren Campbell of MassLive.com reports. Analysis: It's unclear the type of activity in which Casas has been engaged, but Red Sox manager Alex Cora continues to have faith in the young first baseman, who was limited to 29 games last season. "That's great for a young guy to know what he needs to do to compete," the manager said. "He's done that. Hopefully we can get him heathy." The shortened 2025 season was the second consecutive one for Casas, who was limited to 63 games in 2024 due to a fractured rib. Casas is not a lock to return as the starting first baseman, and the Red Sox are rumored to have interest in free agent first baseman Pete Alonso.
Cooper Criswell Cooper Criswell Designated for assignment Thu, Dec 4, 2025, 7:28 PM The Red Sox designated Criswell for assignment Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. Analysis: The Red Sox re-signed Criswell to a one-year contract in early November, but he'll lose his roster spot less than one month later. He spent the majority of the 2025 season with Triple-A Worcester and should have the chance to contribute as a reliever at some point in 2026 if he sticks with the organization.
Johan Oviedo Johan Oviedo Headed to Boston Thu, Dec 4, 2025, 6:34 PM Oviedo was traded from the Pirates to the Red Sox in exchange for Jhostynxon Garcia and an additional player Thursday,Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: After acquiring Sonny Gray earlier in the offseason, the Red Sox remained aggressive in upgrading their rotation this winter. Oviedo rehabbed from Tommy John surgery for much of the 2025 season, though he managed to join the Pirates' rotation for the final two months of the campaign. In nine starts, Oviedo managed a 3.57 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with a 42:23 K:BB across 40.1 frames. Control has been a consistent concern for Oviedo throughout his 361.0 innings in the big leagues, but he should be a decent back-end starter for the Red Sox.