The Boston Red Sox are feeling the pressure as the MLB season nears its end. Manager Alex Cora was candid with fans about the team’s push for a playoff spot. Players like Dustin May, Rob Refsnyder, and Jarren Duran could make an impact in the postseason if Boston gets in, though their long-term roles remain uncertain.
This season has largely been shaped by the emergence of young talent. While veterans such as Alex Bregman and Garrett Crochet have been steady contributors, it’s the prospects who have stood out. Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Kristian Campbell all earned opportunities in the majors and, for the most part, lived up to expectations.
Having a playoff-contending roster filled with young players is a positive sign, especially in a division where every team appears built for sustained success. The challenge for Boston—and the AL East as a whole—is balancing development of their young core with maintaining enough veteran presence to consistently compete. Among them, the Red Sox remain the most unpredictable.
Cora faces a choice: fully commit to the youth movement and risk short-term struggles as they adjust, or prioritize veterans for immediate success at the expense of delaying prospect development. Either way, the team’s future depends on how well they strike that balance.
Cora has talked highly of Anthony and the other rising talents on his club. Here are three guys the Red Sox will part ways with this offseason.
3. Outfielder Rob Refsnyder
Rob Refsnyder managed to stick with the Red Sox through the 2024 offseason, and his versatility has allowed Alex Cora to use him in several different roles this year. Still, much of his value came from filling gaps on a roster that lacked depth. With Cedanne Rafaela emerging as a reliable everyday option, Refsnyder’s role has become less essential.
So far, he’s appeared in 59 games, putting him on track for his second-lowest total in a season since joining Boston. Given how the roster is shaping up, that number might shrink even more next year if he stays.
That could push him toward exploring free agency once his contract ends after the season, which may not be a major concern for Cora.
Boston’s outfield has quickly turned from a weak spot into one of its strengths. Roman Anthony, Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu look capable of forming a long-term core. Their blend of defense and hitting draws comparisons to the Betts-Bradley-Benintendi trio from the past, leaving the Red Sox with little need to keep Refsnyder around.
2. Starting pitcher Dustin May
The Red Sox brought in Dustin May at the July 31 trade deadline, but it quickly became clear that the former Dodgers starter wasn’t settling in well. His performance has fallen short of what Alex Cora expected from someone brought in to patch a major hole in the rotation. Given what he has shown in Boston, he isn’t worth pursuing a new contract with this offseason.
While the lineup’s young hitters drew most of the attention this year, Boston’s young arms also made an impression. Hunter Dobbins captured fans’ attention right away with his debut, and along with Payton Tolle, looks like a strong option for the back end of the rotation next season. That allows the front office to be more selective in building the rest of the staff.
Pitching has actually emerged as more of a strength than hitting for the Red Sox. Garrett Crochet has been one of the most impactful acquisitions the team has made in years, and if Cora can surround him with reliable support in the rotation, Boston will have the balance to compete with the league’s top clubs. At this point, May doesn’t factor into the team’s long-term vision.
1. Outfielder Jarren Duran
Jarren Duran was the subject of heavy trade speculation at the deadline, with the Royals among the clubs showing interest. He ultimately stayed put and continues to patrol the outfield for Alex Cora, but it’s unclear how long he will hold his spot before a younger option like Wilyer Abreu or Ceddanne Rafaela takes over.
In hindsight, Boston may come to regret passing on a deal for Duran. If he departs in free agency this winter, the Red Sox would lose a former All-Star without getting anything in return. It was a calculated gamble for a team hoping to make a surprise title push, though it could backfire if they fail to reach the postseason. Losing him would still sting.
Duran, along with Rafael Devers, was once seen as a cornerstone for the franchise’s future. But with Devers already dealt to the Giants, Boston now risks losing both players in the same year. Even so, the organization’s outlook remains strong, and the front office faces difficult roster choices about who to retain and who to move on from.