2025 Red Sox roster projection: Still work to be done after Crochet trade

2025 Red Sox roster projection: Still work to be done after Crochet trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox finally made a big offseason splash last week, acquiring left-hander Garrett Crochet in a blockbuster deal with the Chicago White Sox. The move gives Boston the ace it has desperately needed, but question marks remain on the pitching staff and throughout the rest of the roster.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has stated that the club is still searching for rotation upgrades, right-handed bats, and bullpen help. They still could address those needs via free agency, but we shouldn’t rule out another blockbuster trade that would shake up the projected Opening Day roster.

Until then, here’s an early 2025 Red Sox roster projection with many changes expected to be made in the coming months:

Catcher (2)

1. Connor Wong

2. Carlos Narvaez

The Red Sox traded their No. 4 ranked prospect, catcher Kyle Teel, to the Chicago White Sox in the deal that brought left-handed ace Garrett Crochet to Boston. Teel would have had a clear path to a big-league role alongside Connor Wong but instead, he’s the odd man out amongst the “core four” Sox prospects.

Shortly after the Crochet trade, the Red Sox acquired backstop Carlos Narvaez from the New York Yankees for right-handed pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz. Narvaez has only six games worth of MLB experience but is considered an above-average defensive catcher. He’s in line to serve as Wong’s backup barring any other moves to bring in a big-league catcher this offseason.

First base (1)

1. Triston Casas

Triston Casas is locked in as the Boston Red Sox’ Opening Day first baseman until further notice. That said, there appears to be a real chance he isn’t on the roster when Boston begins its season in Texas on March 27.

The 24-year-old slugger continues to be mentioned in trade rumors as we approach the New Year. He reportedly was brought up in trade talks with the Seattle Mariners with Boston eyeing one of their starting pitchers early in the offseason.

Those trade rumors, combined with the talk of potentially moving third baseman Rafael Devers to first base, point toward Casas anchoring a different lineup next season. For now though, he’s the “set it and forget it” Red Sox first baseman for 2025 and beyond.

Second base (2)

1. Vaughn Grissom

2. Kristian…