After watching two key targets walk away, the Boston Red Sox front office is now backed into a corner, with one last chance to prove their offseason strategy is more than just wishful thinking. Reportedly, Craig Breslow has shown “significant interest” in acquiring the St. Louis Cardinals’ $87.5 million first baseman.

“After choosing not to make an offer to Kyle Schwarber and failing to land Pete Alonso, Contreras has quickly become one of the more intriguing names,” said Tyler Milliken. “Time to see if Craig Breslow and Chaim Bloom can make some more magic.”

Boston targeted Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber, believing either bat could anchor postseason power. Alonso brought elite home run output and xwOBA leadership, while Schwarber offered on-base consistency.

Boston missed both, leaving first base unsettled and exposing October limitations after playoff struggles. Those misses forced Breslow to keep searching for a middle-of-the-order bat. Attention shifted to Willson Contreras.

Contreras posted a .257 average, 20 homers, and 127 wRC+ in the 2025 season. With Triston Casas nursing an injury, Contreras’s first base experience will be a big boost for Boston. He played 135 games at first base and had a fielding percentage of .991.

Contreras might not give you the same home runs and RBIs as Alonso or Schwarber, but he is definitely a perfect Plan B, given his solid pop and above-average defense.

Signing Contreras will also not have a significant impact on their financial side because he is projected to receive a contract worth around $45-$50 million with just two years left on his current Cardinals contract. This allows Craig Breslow to go and get Alex Bregman and another good bat for the lineup.

Without Contreras, the Red Sox’s getting Bregman will not have much of an effect because Bregman will not have any support. Craig Breslow already has pressure to field a competitive team for the 2026 season after showing promise in 2025. If Breslow fails, the management might start to question if he is the right man for the job.

Meanwhile, another quiet corner of their roster just got a little louder.

The Red Sox infield just got another update

When the Boston Red Sox start juggling their infield, and Ketel Marte enters the conversation, it’s never just noise.

Trade discussions surrounding Ketel Marte intensified as Arizona evaluates roster flexibility ahead of the upcoming season.

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Marte carries five remaining seasons of control and a $11.5 million 2031 player option. He owns Silver Slugger awards in each of the last two seasons played. Across 2023 and 2024, Marte produced 64 home runs with consistent leaguewide availability.

That production frames Boston’s interest as the club seeks dependable infield power now. Marte averaged .283 last season, ranking among baseball’s top offensive second basemen overall. Boston’s lineup lacked sustained middle-infield power, a gap reflected in recent scoring trends. Adding Marte would address that shortfall while preserving payroll structure through controlled contract years.

Between planning and reality, the Red Sox again find their infield decisions answering louder questions. Ketel Marte represents certainty in production, forcing Boston to confront timing, youth, and ambition. If this update signals anything, it is that stability rarely arrives quietly in Fenway.