The Red Sox have no shortage of decisions waiting beyond the winter meetings, and several of the most important ones may turn on health, defensive fit and whether a young player forces the club’s hand. Franklin Arias, Boston’s top prospect, sits near the center of that picture, while a crowded group of infielders, recovering pitchers and left-handed bats will shape the 2027 roster.
Arias could rearrange the infield
Arias has the talent to become the organization’s next major lineup question. If he proves he belongs at shortstop, Boston could be willing to install him there as soon as Opening Day or bring him up later when the club believes he is ready to help win games.
That scenario would put Trevor Story in motion. Story has played second base before, making that the natural landing spot rather than a move to third. Curtis Mead would then need a flexible role, potentially splitting time at second and third while also getting designated-hitter at-bats.
There is no reason to assume the timetable is settled. Highly rated prospects do not all take the same route, but Arias has the ability to make the decision unavoidable.
Questions around the lineup
Mickey Gasper’s late-season outburst was one of the more surprising developments on the roster. From Aug. 17 through Sept. 22, he hit 10 home runs in only 99 plate appearances. That kind of run is difficult to project over a full season, even for a player who has shown real power.
The burst recalled Shane Spencer’s remarkable finish for the 1998 Yankees, when Spencer hit 10 homers across his final 54 plate appearances. Spencer later became a useful piece on a run of New York contenders, though he never topped 12 homers in a full season and his best Baseball Reference WAR was 2.1 in 2001.
Gasper does not need to repeat that surge to matter. His defensive flexibility gives him a chance to serve as a productive platoon bat, and he remains part of the club’s left-handed DH mix with Masataka Yoshida.
Caleb Durbin has posted nearly identical offensive lines in his first two full seasons. He produced a .721 OPS with 11 homers in 445 at-bats for the 2025 Brewers, then followed with a .710 OPS, 13 homers and 508 at-bats for Boston in 2026.
There may be another level to his game. Durbin’s early-season slump pulled down his final numbers, and he continued playing after dislocating his left pinky twice beginning in June. He underwent surgery once the Red Sox were eliminated. His Gold Glove-level work at third base already gives him a sturdy floor.
Wilyer Abreu remains one of the club’s stronger all-around regulars, particularly because of his high-end defense in right field. The question is whether his offense can become less volatile. He has shown the ability to carry a lineup during hot stretches, but his three seasons have also included prolonged cold spells. A steadier approach would be necessary for Abreu to develop into a 30-homer, 100-RBI hitter.
Rafaela’s glove carries major value
Ceddanne Rafaela improved in the standard offensive categories in 2026, but the underlying indicators still point to a difficult path toward sustained production. His average exit velocity ranked in the 10th percentile, while his chase rate landed in the first percentile. Baseball Savant listed baserunning as his only offensive-related red category.
Still, Rafaela finished with a 5.7 Baseball Reference WAR, a reminder of how much his glove changes the game. He has established himself as the American League’s best defensive center fielder, with both the eye test and the data supporting that standing. For the bat to keep moving forward, he will need a substantial reduction in swings at pitches outside the zone.
Rotation decisions begin with the medical reports
Boston has a cluster of injured starters to sort through. Patrick Sandoval is headed to free agency and appears unlikely to return. Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford and Johan Oviedo are arbitration eligible, though their roster cases are very different.
Houck was an All-Star only two years ago, and that track record should earn him an opportunity to compete for a rotation job. If he does not win one, he could still offer value in a high-leverage relief assignment.
Oviedo represents a more recent investment. The Red Sox acquired him by dealing power-hitting prospect Jhostynxon Garcia, so the club has reason to see what Oviedo can provide once healthy.
Crawford faces the most uncertain path. He could become the odd man out when non-tender decisions arrive on Nov. 20.
Health will decide Rutschman and Casas cases
Adley Rutschman’s potential remains clear: a switch-hitting catcher with power who can lead a pitching staff and make an impact on both sides of the ball. His central issue is availability. Injuries have affected him in recent seasons, including stretches when he remained active but was not fully healthy. Even through those concerns, he continued to provide strong work behind the plate and leadership in the clubhouse.
Triston Casas faces a different roster squeeze. Willson Contreras is established at first base, while Yoshida and Gasper give Boston left-handed designated-hitter possibilities. Casas could still survive the Nov. 20 non-tender deadline because he has Minor League options.
If Casas can finally stay healthy, those options give the Red Sox useful depth. He could provide insurance at first base or DH if an injury opens a spot, even if there is not an everyday role waiting for him at the start of the season.
