News and notes from around Red Sox Nation.
The Houston Astros were eliminated from the MLB postseason yesterday, and pending free agent Alex Bregman, who has been frequently been mentioned as a good fit for the Red Sox, thanked Astros fans with what many interpreted as a farewell tweet. But, regardless of whether Craig Breslow is even interested in signing the All-Star third baseman and shaking up the roster correspondingly, Bregman’s long-time teammate Jose Altuve doesn’t think he’ll be leaving Houston. (Brian McTaggart, MLB.com)
So who will Craig Breslow be interested in going after? The rotation will obviously be an area of focus though, based on Craig Breslow’s recent statements, that doesn’t necessarily mean adding a frontline starter. (Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic)
The bullpen will need a lot of work, too, especially with closer Kenley Jansen entering the market and appearing unlikely to re-sign with the Red Sox. As to the recent controversy surrounding his departure from the team in the last week of the season, which reportedly did not sit well with teammates, both Jansen and Alex Cora say he had permission to leave and management didn’t take issue with it. (Rob Bradford, WEEI)
What about a contract extension for Triston Casas? Well, according to Casas himself, it doesn’t look likely. Casas knows that, after a lost season, his value isn’t particularly high right now, and he doesn’t seem interested in signing a new deal until he’s established himself as an elite talent. (Rob Bradford, WEEI)
Whoever they end up with this offseason, the front office has explicitly set the 2025 playoffs as the goal. It’s easier than ever to make the playoffs now, but the Red Sox are one of just 10 teams in all of baseball that have failed to make the playoffs more than once since 2018. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)