Ex-MLB GM Expects Red Sox To Make This Big Offseason Move

Jim Bowden expects the Red Sox to go big-game hunting this winter.

Bowden, a former Major League Baseball general manager who now contributes to The Athletic, published a “front office check-in” Thursday when he addressed “key offseason needs and goals” for all 30 clubs. The needs Bowden listed were priorities chief baseball officer Craig Breslow previously mentioned — starting pitching, relief pitching, right-handed hitter — but the ex-executive believes Boston will check one of those boxes emphatically.

“The Red Sox want to improve their rotation and bullpen this winter and I expect them to land at least one impact starter in free agency,” Bowden wrote.

Who could that impact starter potentially be? Corbin Burnes and Blake Snell are the most prominent aces in the group of available starters, which also includes the likes of Jack Flaherty, Yusei Kikuchi and old friend Nathan Eovaldi. Breslow and company’s preferences remain unclear, but they’re fortunate to be working with a market that isn’t very limited.

The Red Sox also already took a notable step in trying to stabilize their rotation for the 2025 season. Boston made the somewhat surprising decision to extend a qualifying offer to veteran right-hander Nick Pivetta, who’s been with the club since 2020.