Boston Red Sox
Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Caleb Durbin were all recognized for their defensive dominance.
Wilyer Abreu makes a catch during a Red Sox-Cubs game in September. CJ Gunther/Getty Images
November 3, 2026 | 7:05 AM
5 minutes to read
Watching the Milwaukee Brewers capture a first World Series title in franchise history, one couldn’t help but think that perhaps the Red Sox are onto something with their philosophical approach.
To be clear, the Brewers are a far superior team. They have more firepower, more depth, and more of the “it” factor throughout the roster. They dominated the entire season in a way the Red Sox did for only part of the year, and were a deserving champion. The Red Sox, as currently constructed, are not close to where they need to be.
But Milwaukee hit the second-fewest home runs and had the second-best ERA in all of baseball in the regular season. The Red Sox hit the fifth-fewest homers and had the third-best ERA.
The difference? Milwaukee led Major League Baseball in average (.258), while the Red Sox were in the middle of the pack. So, maybe there is a happy medium. Maybe the Red Sox can keep their general approach but tinker it slightly to find a winning combination of some small ball and some smashing.
The past two seasons have ended in disappointment, but this team isn’t as far off as people think.
With that in mind, here’s a look at everything that has happened so far this offseason and where it leaves Boston moving forward:
Dynamic duo
Center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela and right fielder Wilyer Abreu both won the Gold Glove Award for their respective positions.
It is Rafaela’s second consecutive season taking home the award and Abreu’s third straight. Red Sox fans have a tendency to take success like that for granted, so this is your annual reminder to do the opposite.
Defensive players like these two don’t come around very often. Enjoy them while they’re here and appreciate the plays they make. They are arguably the best defensive duo in baseball and should be treated as such.
Rafaela led Major League center fielders in defensive runs saved (21), and American League center fielders in assists (eight), outs above average (16), and fielding run value (16).
Abreu’s 28 defensive runs saved in right field were most in the majors by any player at any position. He is just the sixth Red Sox player to win three consecutive Gold Glove Awards.
They are the first Red Sox to both win the award in back-to-back years since Fred Lynn and Dwight Evans in 1978-79. It’s clear they like each other, respect each other, and enjoy playing side by side.
“He’s amazing,” Abreu said of Rafaela on ESPN. “He’s probably the best outfielder in the league. He’s on another level. He can do everything. He can throw, he can run, he can make unbelievable plays. That makes him special in the outfield. He’s something else.”
No lamb chops or gravy there. Not all stars are close friends, so do yourself a favor and savor this duo.
Durbin’s determination
Caleb Durbin also won a Gold Glove at third base to punctuate a very impressive season that started about as poorly as it possibly could have.
He led American League third basemen in defensive runs saved (13), outs above average (seven), and fielding run value (six), while ranking second in games started (147) and innings (1,302). Durbin was first among MLB third basemen in double plays (31) and assists (282).
He is the first Red Sox infielder to win a Gold Glove Award since Ian Kinsler at second base in 2018, and the second all-time to do so at third base, joining Frank Malzone (1957-59).
That’s a bit of a surprising stat, given how many excellent infielders the Red Sox have had over the years.
It is even more impressive given the fact that Durbin played through pain for much of the season. He underwent a successful partial excision of the fifth metatarsal base with tendon repair Thursday.
This is the fifth season in which three Red Sox players received a Gold Glove Award and the first since 2018 (Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Kinsler). This was a strong defensive team overall.
No longer Gray area
Right-hander Sonny Gray is a free agent and will receive a $10 million buyout after his mutual option was declined.
He was one of the most dominant pitchers in all of baseball last year, and it’s a shame an unfortunate ending soured an otherwise-successful season. Manager Chad Tracy had an excellent year overall, but he may still be kicking himself after removing Gray in the fifth inning against the Yankees.
Gray had a right to be upset afterward, and you could feel his frustration as he tried to express his disappointment while also staying classy.
This is one of those situations where maybe it could have worked out, maybe it couldn’t have, but the Red Sox certainly didn’t help their chances.
Adding another proven veteran starter is the way to go. The truth is, they may not be able to land one of Gray’s caliber.
Trade time
The Red Sox on Thursday traded outfielder Nate Eaton to the Athletics, in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Jareth Rayo.
Eaton played in 24 games for Boston this season, making six starts in left field, six starts in center field, and three starts in right field. He also played in 84 games for Triple-A Worcester, hitting .253 (79-for-312) with 58 runs scored, 16 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, 44 RBIs, 37 walks, and 18 stolen bases.
The #RedSox today traded OF Nate Eaton to the Athletics, in exchange for minor league RHP Jareth Rayo.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) October 29, 2026
He brought some promise, but ultimately, this is an indicator that the Red Sox realize they have too many role players and not enough legitimate pop. There is enough of a sample size to determine that while he is a solid player, he is not someone who will put them over the top.
Rayo, 18, made his professional debut in 2026, pitching in 11 games (nine starts) for the Dominican Summer League Athletics and recording a 5.50 ERA (22 earned runs/36 innings pitched) with 36 strikeouts. He is someone to keep an eye on in the Minors moving forward.
In a similar move, the Red Sox on Friday traded infielder Tsung-Che Cheng to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations.
Cheng was a solid shortstop who played a role in the summer fun.
The #RedSox have traded INF Tsung-Che Cheng to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) October 30, 2026
He appeared in 14 games for Boston this season, batting .256 (10-for-39) with seven runs scored, one double, and five RBIs, while making 13 starts at shortstop. The left-handed hitter also played in 94 games for Triple-A Worcester, hitting .241 (71-for-295) with 52 runs scored, 12 doubles, four triples, eight home runs, 30 RBIs, 47 walks, and 10 stolen bases.
Cheng is reliable, athletic, and gritty, but there isn’t a ton of upside here. Respectfully, the Red Sox are trading pawns so they can try to land a bishop or knight to accompany their rooks.
Not Whit’s end
The Red Sox on Sunday exercised right-handed pitcher Garrett Whitlock’s 2027 club option, meaning he is back in Boston for at least another year.
Whitlock, 30, pitched in 54 games during 2026, going 7-2 with 26 holds, four saves, and a 1.72 ERA (10 ER/52.1 IP). Among major league relievers, the right-hander ranked fifth in ERA, sixth in walks plus hits per innings pitched (minimum 50.0 IP), tied for sixth in wins, and tied for eighth in holds.
Yes, the playoffs happened. No, ownership shouldn’t pretend it never did. But overall, Whitlock was one of Boston’s most dependable players at any position this season.
This is a case where sometimes less is more. The Red Sox have a terrific bullpen, and they shouldn’t let one series where just about everything went wrong skew how they view that part of their team.
Tyron Guerrero, Justin Slaten, Erik Miller, Whitlock, and Aroldis Chapman is a strong core. Stick with it, prioritize offseason development, and run it back with that group.
Trevor Hass is a sports producer who covers Boston’s professional teams. He also writes about Boston College football and high school sports for The Boston Globe.
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