How 2025 Red Sox Lineup Could Look If Juan Soto Signs Elsewhere

The Boston Red Sox remain right in the mix for Juan Soto, the top free agent prize of the offseason. From varying timelines to the deep-pocketed contenders left, there’s plenty of intrigue and uncertainty as the sweepstakes come to a close.

The Red Sox have far greater needs on the pitching side, but any chance to add a generational offensive player like Soto obviously should take priority. Boston posted a top-10 offense in each of the last seven seasons. That group could take another step up with Soto.

But what if Soto signs elsewhere? What if he joins the New York Mets? Or what if he goes back to the New York Yankees?

The Red Sox still should have a solid lineup regardless and could still make moves to improve the group with a whole offseason to go and assets to put to use. Here’s what that lineup could look like without Soto in 2025.

Jarren Duran, LF
Rafael Devers, 3B
Teoscar Hernández, RF
Triston Casas, 1B
Tyler O’Neill, DH
Trevor Story, SS
Kristian Campbell, 2B
Connor Wong, C
Ceddanne Rafaela, CF

It’s important to remember that Boston’s “Big Three” prospects, Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony and Kyle Teel, will likely impact this group, but not until later in the year for the Red Sox.

With that disclaimer, let’s break down the lineup.

Duran is the most dynamic leadoff hitter in baseball not named Shohei Ohtani. Devers and Casas offer elite left-handed power and the Red Sox could finally find the proper balance in the No. 3 spot by issuing a multi-year deal for Hernández.

Boston also can bring back O’Neill, who expressed “mutual” interest at the end of the regular season, and keep him healthy as a full-time designated hitter. He adds more right-handed power for the Red Sox in a better role for his abilities.

Elsewhere, the lineup rounds out the same. But the Red Sox can finally fill their longtime hole at second base with 2024’s most improved player throughout the minor leagues in Campbell.

The youth movement is here, the Red Sox can add more pitching and Boston can be in great shape. Even without Soto.