Free Agent Hitters the Red Sox Could Target This Offseason, Beyond Top-Tier Options
The Boston Red Sox are open to adding a complementary hitter in free agency this offseason, beyond their top-tier targets. While they're still eyeing big-name hitters like Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso, there's more to the story. The Red Sox might be looking for someone who can provide a specific skillset or fill a particular gap on their roster.
Let's look at five potential complementary free agent hitters who could interest the Red Sox:
5. Rhys Hoskins
Rhys Hoskins is an intriguing option for the Red Sox, especially if they're willing to move Triston Casas to first base full-time. The 33-year-old left-handed hitter had a solid year with the Brewers in 2025, hitting .237 with a .748 OPS and 12 home runs. He's also known for his ability to draw walks, which could complement the Red Sox's lineup nicely.
However, Hoskins' production has been impacted by injuries over the past few years, including missing the entire 2023 season due to an ACL tear. His best years were with the Phillies, but he might not be the same player he was a few years ago.
4. Ryan O'Hearn
Ryan O'Hearn is a veteran first baseman who doesn't fit the Red Sox's typical mold for free agent hitters. However, if they're able to re-sign Alex Bregman and fail to land Pete Alonso or Triston Casas becomes a question mark, O'Hearn could be an attractive option.
O'Hearn had a career year in 2025, hitting .281 with a .803 OPS and 17 home runs over 144 games. He's not a power hitter, but he's reliable at the plate and has shown the ability to hit for average. The Red Sox might get him on a two-year deal worth less than $40 million.
3. J.T. Realmuto
J.T. Realmuto is the top catcher available in free agency, and the Red Sox don't necessarily need to add someone behind the plate. However, Realmuto could be an interesting option if they want to play him at first base or as a designated hitter.
Realmuto had a strong year with the Phillies in 2025, posting a .257 batting average with a .700 OPS and 12 home runs. He's also shown his ability to handle both left-handed and right-handed pitching. The Red Sox might get him on a deal worth $15 million per year.
2. Kazuma Okamoto
Kazuma Okamoto is a talented Japanese hitter who's generating buzz as the second-best international free agent this offseason. While he doesn't have the same power as Munetaka Murakami, Okamoto has some pop and has hit 113 home runs over the last four seasons.
Okamoto also has positional versatility, having played third base for most of his NPB career. The Red Sox might get him on a four-year deal in the $64-$76 million range.
1. Jorge Polanco
Jorge Polanco is the top free agent hitter available this offseason, and the Red Sox should be interested. Polanco had one of the best seasons of his career with the Mariners in 2025, posting a .265 batting average with a .821 OPS and 26 home runs.
Polanco is a switch-hitter who can play multiple positions, including second base, third base, and first base. He's also shown his ability to hit for power and average, which would complement the Red Sox's lineup nicely. The Red Sox might get him on a two- or three-year deal with an average annual value shy of $20 million.
These five hitters offer different skillsets and positional flexibility that could interest the Red Sox this offseason. Whether they end up signing any of them remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Boston won't be afraid to get creative in their pursuit of complementary free agent hitters.
The Boston Red Sox are open to adding a complementary hitter in free agency this offseason, beyond their top-tier targets. While they're still eyeing big-name hitters like Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso, there's more to the story. The Red Sox might be looking for someone who can provide a specific skillset or fill a particular gap on their roster.
Let's look at five potential complementary free agent hitters who could interest the Red Sox:
5. Rhys Hoskins
Rhys Hoskins is an intriguing option for the Red Sox, especially if they're willing to move Triston Casas to first base full-time. The 33-year-old left-handed hitter had a solid year with the Brewers in 2025, hitting .237 with a .748 OPS and 12 home runs. He's also known for his ability to draw walks, which could complement the Red Sox's lineup nicely.
However, Hoskins' production has been impacted by injuries over the past few years, including missing the entire 2023 season due to an ACL tear. His best years were with the Phillies, but he might not be the same player he was a few years ago.
4. Ryan O'Hearn
Ryan O'Hearn is a veteran first baseman who doesn't fit the Red Sox's typical mold for free agent hitters. However, if they're able to re-sign Alex Bregman and fail to land Pete Alonso or Triston Casas becomes a question mark, O'Hearn could be an attractive option.
O'Hearn had a career year in 2025, hitting .281 with a .803 OPS and 17 home runs over 144 games. He's not a power hitter, but he's reliable at the plate and has shown the ability to hit for average. The Red Sox might get him on a two-year deal worth less than $40 million.
3. J.T. Realmuto
J.T. Realmuto is the top catcher available in free agency, and the Red Sox don't necessarily need to add someone behind the plate. However, Realmuto could be an interesting option if they want to play him at first base or as a designated hitter.
Realmuto had a strong year with the Phillies in 2025, posting a .257 batting average with a .700 OPS and 12 home runs. He's also shown his ability to handle both left-handed and right-handed pitching. The Red Sox might get him on a deal worth $15 million per year.
2. Kazuma Okamoto
Kazuma Okamoto is a talented Japanese hitter who's generating buzz as the second-best international free agent this offseason. While he doesn't have the same power as Munetaka Murakami, Okamoto has some pop and has hit 113 home runs over the last four seasons.
Okamoto also has positional versatility, having played third base for most of his NPB career. The Red Sox might get him on a four-year deal in the $64-$76 million range.
1. Jorge Polanco
Jorge Polanco is the top free agent hitter available this offseason, and the Red Sox should be interested. Polanco had one of the best seasons of his career with the Mariners in 2025, posting a .265 batting average with a .821 OPS and 26 home runs.
Polanco is a switch-hitter who can play multiple positions, including second base, third base, and first base. He's also shown his ability to hit for power and average, which would complement the Red Sox's lineup nicely. The Red Sox might get him on a two- or three-year deal with an average annual value shy of $20 million.
These five hitters offer different skillsets and positional flexibility that could interest the Red Sox this offseason. Whether they end up signing any of them remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Boston won't be afraid to get creative in their pursuit of complementary free agent hitters.
! He's a beast at the plate and can play multiple positions, which would fit in perfect with their roster. And at a price point that's not too crazy, they could get a solid hitter without breakin' the bank 
. I mean, don't get me wrong, Hoskins is an interesting option and all, but Polanco's game is just more polished, you know? 
. And Ryan O'Hearn's reliability at the plate is exactly what they need, especially if Alex Bregman doesn't pan out 
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. And can we talk about how underrated J.T. Realmuto is? He's having a strong year, but nobody's giving him the love 
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. It's gonna be an interesting offseason for the Red Sox, and I'm hyped to see how they shake things up!
... i think they should focus on guys who are more proven at this point 
! Back in my day, we had contracts and teams knew who they were getting. Now it's all about what you can get on the market. I mean, Kazuma Okamoto? 
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anyway back to baseball, i dont think its fair that they have to move triston casas to first base full-time just cuz rhys hoskins is a good hitter 
. I know they're trying to fix the gaps, but wouldn't it be better to invest in some younger players? Like, think about all the contracts those guys have left on them 
. Anyway, I do think Rhys Hoskins would be a good fit for their lineup... he's got that power and can draw walks 
. And if they're gonna give Ryan O'Hearn a deal, at least it'll be only two years 
I dont think Hoskins would be good fit for red sox. He has been injury prone and his production has dropped significantly. They need someone who can contribute right now, not someone who might be injured next year 
they need someone who can hit for average and draw walks too, you know? 
rhys hoskins is an interesting option, but he has had some injury issues in the past... hope he's healthy now 
. Ryan O'Hearn is an interesting option, not because he's some superstar, but because he's a reliable hitter who can hit for average 
. And Kazuma Okamoto? No idea what that guy does on the field... just seems like a fancy international free agent to me 
Like, maybe they need someone with power but also can hit for average, which would be super useful. 
You gotta weigh the pros and cons of signing him considering his past production. And Ryan O'Hearn seems like a solid choice if they're willing to take a chance on a veteran hitter who doesn't fit their typical mold. 
But I'm not sure he'd be the best fit for the Red Sox unless they want to play him at first base or DH. 
And Jorge Polanco seems like an amazing option if the Red Sox can get him on a deal with a lower average annual value.
. And let's be real, Josh Donaldson was basically a one-year wonder last season... 
. Polanco is the obvious choice for a top-tier hitter, but it's cool to see the Sox exploring other options 
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and who knows maybe they'll even bring back some old faces like Xander Bogaerts or Christian Vasquez 
️. The $64-$76 million range is steep, but if they're serious about competing with the Yanks and Jays, it's worth a shot