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Boston's front office, led by chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, displayed remarkable boldness during the 2026 MLB trade deadline, and a recent revelation underscores just how far the Red Sox were willing to go. According to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, Boston checked in on Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., a three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner who remains one of the game's brightest young stars at just 26 years old.
While the Red Sox ultimately completed a blockbuster deal for All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman from the Baltimore Orioles—a move that sent shockwaves through the American League—the fact that Breslow even placed a call about Witt is striking. Witt, the 2026 AL MVP finalist, is under contract through 2030 on an 11-year, $288.77 million extension with no opt-out, making any acquisition extremely complicated. Still, Boston's willingness to explore such a scenario speaks volumes about the organization's aggressive mindset.
Speier noted that the Red Sox felt urgency to upgrade their infield, leading to deals for Curtis Mead and Rutschman, as well as unsuccessful pursuits of Elly De La Cruz and Bobby Witt Jr. The report also mentioned air-pull force Zach Neto and Otto Lopez as targets. Even though Witt's 2026 numbers—a .281/.359/.441 slash line with an .800 OPS, 18 home runs, 54 RBIs, and 45 stolen bases—represented a somewhat down year by his lofty standards, his overall skill set remains elite.
Key Analysis
The mere inquiry into Witt's availability signals that Breslow is unafraid to aim high, and it sets the stage for potential future pursuits. With rumors already linking Boston to Cincinnati's Elly De La Cruz this offseason, the Red Sox have shown they will explore every avenue to improve. If Kansas City ever entertains offers for Witt, Boston should be first in line—his combination of defense, speed, and power makes him a franchise-altering talent. For now, the call itself is a promising indicator of a front office committed to bold moves.