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The Red Sox first base solution

 

Although the Red Sox made the playoffs for the first time since the 2021 season, it is impossible to excuse the gaping holes in the team's construction, the most prominent being the lack of a true every day first basemen and the lack of a real power hitter. Shortstop Trevor Story led the team in home runs with 25, a lackluster amount for a team leader, putting him tied for 50th most in the MLB. When it came to everyday first basemen, the team did not fare any better. Journeyman Abraham Toro led the first in appearances at first base, with 68, although he hit .239, with a .659 OPS and was designated for assignment on August 21 and finished the season in the Red Sox AAA affiliate. 

Possible free agents. The Red Sox have been linked through rumors to power hitter Kyle Schwarber, who spent the second half of the 2021 season with the club, contributing to the team's surprise playoff push. Although Schwarber serves primarily as a DH and is not known for defense, he did make 10 appearances at first during his 41 game stint in Boston. Schwarber also slashed .240/.365/.536, and led the national league with 56 home runs during the 2025 season. Although Schwarber could fill the lack of power in the Sox, they will likely have to look elsewhere for an everyday first basemen. 

Mets slugger Pete Alonso. Alonso is the biggest name on the market when it comes to first basemen. A 5x All-Star and 2x Homerun derby champion, Alonso hit .272/.347/.524 with 38 bombs on the season. Additionally Alonso played all 162 games, starting 160 at first base. Alonso’s -9 outs above average leave a lot to be desired on defense, he would be welcomed addition to a squad, with such a lack of power and veteran presence. Additionally to Alonso, Mariners deadline acquisition, Josh Naylor, who hit .295/.353.462, will hit the market. Although Naylor’s defense is better than Alonso, with a 2 outs above average, putting him in the 80th percentile in the league, he only hit 20 homeruns, marking a lack in power compared to Alonso’s 38. 

Internal options are not what the fans want to see. The Red Sox are a large market team, they should be out spending on someone like Alonso, especially with recent freed up money between the Rafael Devers trade and Alex Bregman likely opting out of $40 million next season. If the team was to look internally it would seem 2025 opening day starter Triston Casas is the favorite. Casas missed significant time in his last two campaigns only playing 29 games in 2025 and slashing a meager .182/.277/.303. Another internal option for the team would be rookie Kristian Campbell. Coming out of spring training, Campbell looked like an immediate star, hitting .301/.407.495 his first month, but he faced a significant slump, slashing .131/.184/.171 in June barely fairing better in July before being sent down to AAA. Campbell primarily played second base at the MLB level, but played 262.1 innings at the corner in AAA. 

If the team is going to look internally, I think Campbell is the right move. He has proven himself to be a well above average hitter in the minors, but has yet for it to translate at a major league level. Campbell also signed an extension through the 2034 season and with his lackluster defense at second, first base would make a lot of sense. Really though, the team should be looking to Alonso, it’s going to take a significant sum of money, but the power he brings to the table is not something the Sox can replicate with an internal solution.


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