The Red Sox were active ahead of this year's MLB trade deadline, but Boston didn't make a truly seismic move.
Perhaps that move will come from Craig Breslow and company this winter.
The Red Sox figure to be busy this offseason, as many of the best players ticketed for free agency are starting pitchers. While Tanner Houck blossomed into an All-Star this year, Boston absolutely should be looking to add a bonafide stud to the front end of its rotation.
Could that arm be Corbin Burnes? MLB.com's Mark Feinsand listed the Red Sox as a potential fit for the star right-hander Wednesday when he previewed free agency. Burnes is having a fantastic first season in the American League, highlighted by ownership of the second-shortest odds at FanDuel Sportsbook to win the Cy Young Award in the Junior Circut.
Boston fans might not want to get too excited about the possibility of Burnes calling Fenway Park home, though. Feinsand expects the Orioles "to do everything they can" to keep the four-time All-Star in Baltimore, which makes sense considering his 2024 success and the amount the franchise gave up to acquire him. That said, Red Sox executives absolutely should make a serious run at Burnes once the market opens up.
Boston also will have other options this winter. Feinsand views Alex Cora's club as a potential landing spot for another great right-handed starter: Jack Flaherty.