BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 13: Wilyer Abreu #52 of the Boston Red Sox looks on from the dugout during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on September 13, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
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The Boston Red Sox weren’t shy about making big moves last year or during this past season and it’s clear they haven’t changed that mindset for this winter.
Last offseason, the Red Sox swung perhaps the most consequential trade in their recent history as they acquired southpaw ace Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox. Then, well ahead of the most recent midseason trade deadline, the Red Sox opted to trade away franchise slugger Rafael Devers.
Now, the team has kicked off its latest winter of moves by acquiring St. Louis Cardinals starter Sonny Gray, who is bringing some decided competitiveness to Boston.
“It’s pretty much one of the only things that is continuing to push me, continuing to try to get better in this game, is to get to a World Series, to win a World Series, to pitch in big games,” Gray said during his introductory press conference, per MLB.com’s Ian Browne. “I love the moment, and I am chasing that moment. Getting to a World Series (and) winning the World Series is at the very top of that list.”
The acquisition also marked a notable commitment from the Red Sox toward World Series contention, as the team has now taken on the remainder of his $75 million salary. And it’s likely that some more significant transactions are ahead for the team, particularly with a logjam in its outfield unit.
Between Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Roman Anthony and Ceddanne Rafaela, the Red Sox could have at least one controllable outfielder on the roster who might be leveraged in a trade with another team. But Abreu at least is expecting and hoping to stick with the Red Sox following their latest addition.
“It’s good,” Abreu said of the team’s trade to acquire Gray, during a recent appearance on MLB Network. “It’s good for us to have a great addition like Sonny Gray and I know next year is going to be a good one for the team, especially that this past year, I mean, we went to the postseason and we couldn’t win it. But I think, for this guy coming to this team, it’s going to be very helpful. And I know everybody knows what he can do and I hope he’s going to be a huge help for the team.”
Abreu added that his own focus this winter has been on preparing to remain healthy for all of next season. That would be a major help for the Red Sox, or whatever team he ends up playing on next year, as some missed time due to injury was one of the only blemishes on his past season.
While Abreu approves of the team’s win-now addition in Gray and its willingness to make the team better by any means necessary, he might feel a bit differently if the team’s next move involves shipping him out of town.