It’s no secret that the Boston Red Sox will be on the hunt for more right-handed bats. The team’s lineup leaned too heavily on lefty power last season. They have made it clear that balancing things out is a top priority before the start of the 2025 season. Even if the Red Sox manage to bring back Tyler O’Neill, a big righty bat they acquired late last season, the front office knows they’ll need more firepower to stay competitive.
So, who could Boston be eyeing this winter? According to Katie Manganelli from FanSided, one intriguing solution could be addressing the catcher position. After all, this is an area where the Red Sox have some holes to fill. Manganelli specifically suggests that two-time All-Star Yasmani Grandal should be on their radar. While he may not be the big slugger he once was, Grandal still brings pop from the right side of the plate which is something Boston desperately needs.
The Red Sox’s catching situation got a bit messy last season. After designating Reese McGuire for assignment in July, Boston leaned on Danny Jansen, who was clearly a stopgap solution. Tyler Heineman was brought in as a desperation backup, and now the team is left with Connor Wong and prospect Kyle Teel.
Wong has shown promise, but Teel, one of the Red Sox’s more exciting young players, might not be fully major-league ready by the time Opening Day rolls around. As Manganelli points out, even if Teel is prepared, Boston could still use more depth behind the plate.
That’s where someone like Grandal or James McCann could come into play. McCann is a reliable defensive catcher with decent pop from the right side. Or Grandal, who’s hit 22 or more home runs in five different seasons, would both provide the right-handed hitting the Sox crave. Grandal, in particular, might be a solid veteran presence despite being past his prime. In 72 games last season with the Pirates, he managed nine home runs and 27 RBIs. These numbers could certainly help a lineup looking for more right-handed power.
The key for Boston this offseason will be finding cost-effective solutions that complement their existing roster. Adding a bat like Grandal’s to the bench—especially if Teel takes longer to develop than expected—could be just the move that balances out the offense. Of course, the Red Sox aren’t just in the market for a catcher; they’ll be looking for right-handed hitters in the outfield, the infield, and possibly the DH spot as well. But finding a righty bat behind the plate could kill two birds with one stone. It adds depth to the catching position while addressing the power imbalance in the lineup.
As the 2025 season inches closer, Red Sox fans should expect an active offseason. With plenty of intriguing options on the table, don’t be surprised if Boston pulls the trigger on a veteran catcher to steady the ship and maybe give their lineup a little extra punch.
