It sounds like the Boston Red Sox are going to be heavily involved with some of the top players on the market this winter, as it's evident they have an opportunity to compete for a World Series as early as next season.
With some veteran talent, youngsters, and everything in between, the Red Sox are a very good team on paper.
If it hadn't been for a slow start a year ago and a few injuries, the 2025 campaign likely would’ve gone differently for the Red Sox.
When searching for ways for the Red Sox to improve their starting rotation, Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report recently predicted they'd be in the mix for a San Diego Padres free agent, and that's none other than right-hander Dylan Cease, who is regarded as one of the better starters in baseball when he's at his best.
“The Red Sox could sit on their hands, as some combination of Connelly Early, Payton Tolle, Kyle Harrison, and a healthy Patrick Sandoval is enough to give them a quality rotation behind ace Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello.
“However, they could also be one of the market's most aggressive teams, targeting one of the top-tier starters in free agency and swinging a deal to acquire someone like MacKenzie Gore or Joe Ryan. They have the spending ability and the young trade chips to get it done,” he wrote.
As Padres fans know at this point, Cease is a somewhat polarizing player to evaluate.
When he's throwing the baseball at a very high level, he's as good as it gets.
However, if he’s what he was in 2025, he's rather below average.
Depending on the price, however, it might not be the worst idea for Boston to give him a look.
More Padres News:
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- Padres' Mike Shildt announces retirement following 2025 season
- Padres star Yu Darvish out for 2026 after elbow repair and internal brace
- Padres All-Star closer Robert Suarez makes huge $16 million decision
- Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. Wins second Gold Glove award
- Padres deemed potential fit to steal Phillies star in free agency