BOSTON -- The free-agent market is open for business, as players who are eligible can now sign with all 30 teams.
While the Red Sox feel good about their emerging core from a team that has made it to the postseason the last two years, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow wants to see his club take the next step by avoiding the Wild Card round entirely or advancing out of it.
Here are five players who could fit nicely on Boston’s 2027 team, which is seeking to play postseason baseball at Fenway Park for the first time since 2021.
You think Arozarena likes hitting at Fenway Park? In a three-game series in Boston from Aug. 31-Sept. 2, the right-handed hitter went off, going 6-for-15 with a double, two homers and eight RBIs. Boston’s top need is another right-handed-hitting thumper to go with Willson Contreras.
Arozarena’s pull-heavy swing could make him a monster while taking aim at the Green Monster. Entering his age-32 season, the outfielder is hardly home run or nothing. In fact, he is a dynamic player who posted his second straight 25-homer/25-stolen base season, with an .865 OPS in 154 games.
While the Mariners unexpectedly struggled in ‘26, Arozarena did not, ranking in the top 10 in bWAR (5.7) and fWAR (5.5) among AL position players. He has been an All-Star three times in the last four years, not to mention exhibiting a strong track record in the postseason. The Mariners extended Arozarena a $23.15 million qualifying offer on Monday, which means the Red Sox would be subject to the loss of at least one Draft pick to acquire him.
Arozarena has been utilized in left field the most in his career, which makes him a good fit for a Boston team that has Gold Glovers in center (Ceddanne Rafaela) and right (Wilyer Abreu).
OF Seiya Suzuki
Flash back five offseasons ago, and you’ll remember that the Red Sox had a lot of interest in bringing Japanese free-agent outfielder Suzuki to Boston. However, they lost out to the Cubs, and they have appreciated from afar the quality right-handed hitter he has turned into.
Once again, Suzuki is a free agent. Suzuki isn’t as strong a fit as Arozarena -- if only because he’s mainly been a right fielder, and Abreu has won three straight Gold Gloves. Perhaps Suzuki could shift to left and play right when Abreu needs a day off.
Breslow has been known to think outside the box, regardless of positional fit. Suzuki mashed a career-high 32 homers in ‘25. While he dipped to 26 long balls in ‘26, he also had a career-best bWAR of 5.1. Suzuki was extended a qualifying offer by the Cubs on Monday.
RHP Sonny Gray
The fit between Gray and the Red Sox was so strong in 2026 that you can’t help but wonder if both sides will try to extend the relationship. Gray waived his no-trade clause to come to the Red Sox, and he never regretted it. Fears that he would struggle in a big market simply because he did with the Yankees earlier in his career proved to be misguided.
Gray instantly became a force for the Sox, posting his lowest ERA (2.72) since his rookie season of 2013. Backed by his six-pitch mix, Gray had an AL-leading 18 wins in 29 starts, and he stepped up big-time for a team that lost ace Garrett Crochet for most of the season. Gray has pitched 160 innings or more the last four seasons.
A rotation led by Crochet, Gray, Payton Tolle and Ranger Suarez could be one of the best in the game. Even without Crochet, Boston had a lights-out rotation in ‘26.
LHP Shota Imanaga
While still with the Cubs' front office, Breslow did a lot of scouting work on Imanaga and was among his biggest backers. By the time Imanaga opted to sign with the Cubs, Breslow was chief baseball officer for the Red Sox.
Perhaps he can land Imanaga this time around. One thing that is clear about Breslow: He never tires of quality left-handed pitching. Imanaga has been the solid starter for the Cubs that Breslow envisioned three years ago, posting a 3.45 ERA in 86 starts during his three seasons. In ‘26, Imanaga missed bats (174 strikeouts in 174 1/3 innings) without missing the strike zone often (37 walks).
RHP Kaima Taira
The soon-to-be 27-year-old has been posted by the Seibu Lions, and his stuff -- led by his fastball -- is likely appetizing to Breslow, who has done a strong job rebuilding the club’s pitching staff during his time running Boston’s front office. Another thing that makes Taira attractive is that he has experience as a starter and a reliever.