The Red Sox’s 2025 season will be remembered not for what happened on the field, but for the off-field decision that shocked the baseball world: trading Rafael Devers mid-season.
It was a move no one saw coming, a mid-June stunner that sent the team’s brightest star and most consistent bat packing for San Francisco. Red Sox management tried to soften the blow, insisting the team didn’t need Devers, even suggesting they’d be better off without him. But by October, the results spoke for themselves. Boston’s season ended in a whimper, knocked out 1-2 in the wild-card round by their fiercest rivals, the Yankees.
Craig Breslow Admits the Red Sox Offense Was Missing a Centerpiece
Now, with the dust of postseason disappointment settling, the Red Sox are staring into the harsh light of reality. They lacked punch. They lacked fear factor. And without Devers in the heart of the order, they lacked the one thing every playoff-bound team needs: a bat that makes opposing pitchers sweat.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow knows it. He admitted as much: “There is just something about a bat in the middle of the lineup that forces another team to game plan against it. We didn’t slug nearly as much as I think we can.”
The mission is clear: Find a bat that can anchor the lineup. The challenge, though, is that the bat isn’t easy to find. If Boston brings back Alex Bregman, the most obvious hole is at first base. But it can’t be just anyone; it has to be a game-changer.
Three Big Bats Could Fill the Devers Void — But Only One May Be Worth the Gamble
Enter Munetaka Murakami, Japan’s home run king. Though his 2025 season was shortened by injury, his raw talent is undeniable. A Triple Crown winner in 2022, he’s a left-handed power hitter with an uncanny ability to get on base. Yes, translating NPB numbers to MLB success is tricky. But players like Shohei Ohtani and Seiya Suzuki have already paved the way. If Murakami adjusts quickly, he could be a franchise cornerstone.
Then there’s Pete Alonso, the safest, loudest bat on the market. Already a 38-homer machine with a flair for postseason drama, Alonso’s right-handed power could thrive with the Green Monster behind him. Plus, with no qualifying offer attached, the Red Sox wouldn’t have to sacrifice a draft pick to get him. He’s a win-now piece, a proven threat in October, and a power presence Boston desperately needs.
Cody Bellinger Could Do The Job
Lastly, Cody Bellinger, a name that still carries weight. Though he doesn’t bring Devers’ consistency, his versatility, contact skills, and left-handed swing are intriguing. Bellinger has quietly rebuilt his value and would bring defensive prowess to Fenway’s first base bag. He pulls the ball enough to benefit from Boston’s configuration and has learned to avoid the strikeout pit that once plagued him.
The Red Sox have options, but they don’t have time. If the franchise hopes to recover from the Devers fallout and return to contention, they’ll need to fill the void fast. Because next October, there will be no excuses left.
