Boston Red Sox – What Might Have Been

My wife and I are huge Red Sox fans. We watch other teams as well … at least when they play the Sox.

One of our favorite things to do is to spot ex-Sox on other teams. For the ones who are doing well for themselves, we invariably ask, “Why can’t we get players like that?”

What would it look like if the Sox kept onto their good players? I asked the same question to a little awhile back for my other favorite team, the Pirates. So, here it is … an ideal roster of current and former Sox who are currently active.

NOTE:  Players on the current Sox roster are underlined.

 

C

Adley Rutschman

• 2026 highlights:  2.6 WAR, 13 HRs, 60 RBIs, All Star
• Career highlights:  17.4 WAR, 290 RBIs, 303 runs, All Star (3), Silver Slugger
• Who we gave up:  minor leaguers

Whoops, wrong team!

 

1B

Willson Contreras

• 2026 highlights:  4.6 WAR, 27 HRs, 81 RBIs, 275 BA, All Star
• Career highlights:  33.9 WAR, 199 HRs, 629 RBIs, 594 runs, All Star (4)
• Who we gave up:  minor leaguers

2B

Mookie Betts (Dodgers)

• 2026 highlights:  3.9 WAR, 23 HRs, 69 RBIs, 71 runs, All Star
• Career highlights:  79 WAR, 288 BA, 314 HRs, 1237 runs, 982 RBIs, 198 SBs, MVP, All Star (8), Gold Glove (6), Silver Slugger (7)
• Who we got:  Connor Wong (0.5 WAR), others (retired)
• Who’s out there instead: Nick Sogard (1.2 WAR)

If that baseball things doesn’t work out

 

SS

Xander Boegarts (SD)

• 2026 highlights:  2.2 WAR, 68 runs, 22 SBs
• Career highlights:  44.3 WAR, 283 BA, 210 HRs, 1016 runs, 895 RBIs, 148 SBs, All Star (4), Silver Slugger (5)
• Who we got:  zilch (free agent)
• Who’s out there instead:  Trevor Story (0.2 WAR)

3B

Alex Bregman (Cubs)

• 2026 highlights:  5.8 WAR, 28 HRs, 93 RBIs, 92 runs, 22 SBs
• Career highlights:  48.9 WAR, 271 BA, 237 HRs, 818 RBIs, 850 runs, All Star (3), Gold Glove, Silver Slugger
• Who we got:  zilch (free agent)
• Who’s out there instead:  Caleb Durbin (4.4 WAR)

OF

Wilyer Abreu

• 2026 highlights:  5.9 WAR, 24 HRs, 76 RBIs, 81 runs
• Career highlights:  13.5 WAR, 217 RBIs, 203 runs, Gold Glove (2)
• Who we gave up:  Christian Vazquez (0.4 WAR)

His other team

 

Ceddanne Rafaella

• 2026 highlights:  5.7 WAR, 283 BA, 70 RBIs, 67 runs, All Star
• Career highlights:  13.6 WAR, 213 RBIs, 232 runs, 49 SBs, All Star, Gold Glove
• Home-grown

His other team

 

Roman Anthony

• 2026 highlights:  1.3 WAR
• Career highlights:  4.6 WAR, 271 BA
• Home-grown

And his other team

 

DH

Rafael Devers (SF)

• 2026 highlights:  3.6 WAR, 37 HRs, 98 RBIs, 88 runs
• Career highlights:  30.6 WAR, 274 BA, 272 HRs, 845 RBIs, 803 runs, All Star (3), Silver Slugger (2)
• Who we got:  Kyle Harrison (0.5, Milwaukee), Jordan Hicks (0.7, White Sox), minor leaguers
• Who’s out there instead:  Masataka Yoshida (0.7 WAR)

Only if he means it

 

SP

Chris Sale (SF)

• 2026 highlights:  5.5 WAR, 14-9, 200 Ks, 2.16 ERA, 0.984 WHIP
• Career highlights:  62.7 WAR, 159-97, 2779 Ks, 2.95 ERA, 1.041 WHIP, Cy Young, All Star (10)
• Who we got:  Vaughn Grissom (0.2 WAR, Angels)

Eduardo Rodriquez (Arizona)

• 2026 highlights:  4.8 WAR, 16-7, 2.89 ERA, 1.239 WHIP, All Star
• Career highlights:  22.7 WAR, 110-73, 1440 Ks, All Star
• Who we got:  zilch (free agent)

Sonny Gray

• 2026 highlights:  4.3 WAR, 18-5, 2.72 ERA, 1.158 WHIP
• Career highlights:  37.8 WAR, 143-107, 2074 Ks, All Star (3)
• Who we gave up:  minor leaguers

Why does he always look like he’s wearing his big brother’s uni?

 

Payton Tolle

• 2026 highlights:  2.9 WAR, 3.03 ERA, 1.096 WHIP, 171 Ks
• Career highlights:  pretty much a rookie
• Home-grown

Ranger Suarez

• 2026 highlights:  2.7 WAR, 3.22 ERA, 1.187 WHIP, All Star
• Career highlights:  21.1 WAR, 61-42, 3.35 ERA, 1.257 WHIP, 845 Ks, All Star (2)
• Who we gave up:  zilch (free agent)

Shoulda been Gray

 

DL – Garrett Crochet

• 2026 highlights:  never mind
• Career highlights:  11.3 WAR, 3.17 ERA, 1.118 WHIP, 586 Ks, All Star (2)
• Who we gave up:  Kye Teel (0.7), Chase Meidroth (4.5), Braden Montgomery (0.3), minor leaguer

On the DL – why do you ask?

 

Closer

Aroldis Chapman

• 2026 highlights:  1.9 ERA, 35 saves, 3.22 ERA, 1.187 WHIP, All Star
• Career highlights:  26.1 WAR, 63-52, 402 saves, 2.48 ERA, 1.078 WHIP, 1402 Ks, All Star (9)
• Who we gave up:  zilch (free agent)

Yup, he played for them too

RP

Brennan Bernardino (Colorado)

• 2026 highlights:  3.9 WAR, 2.81 ERA, 1.156 WHIP
• Career highlights:  3.28 ERA, 1.284 WHIP, 206 Ks
• Who we got:  minor leaguer

Stephen Whitlock

• 2026 highlights:  2.0 WAR, 7-2, 1.72 ERA, 0.898 WHIP, All Star
• Career highlights:  10 WAR, 32-16, 2.93 ERA, 1.098 WHIP, 14 saves, 402 Ks
• Home-grown

All-around good guy

 

Sean Newcomb (White Sox)

• 2026 highlights:  2.0 WAR, 3.09 ERA, 1.185 WHIP, All
• Career highlights:  6.1 WAR, 613 Ks, All Star
• Who we got:  cash

Cam Booser (Arizona)

• 2026 highlights:  1.1 WAR, 1.98 ERA, 0.756 WHIP
• Career highlights:  not all that great
• Who we got:  minor leaguer

ACC Funny Football Names

Another college football season is upon us. I follow the ACC, so here they are – the funniest names for each ACC roster.

Clemson – Chapman Pendergrass

• OL, 5th yr
• State supreme court justice?
• Fun fact:  ACC Academic Honor Roll

Duke – Kyon Loud

• Named after the anime character?
• CB, Soph
• Fun fact:  Father played in CFL

Virginia – Dakota Twitty

• TE, 5th yr
• Relative of Conway?
• Fun fact:  ACC Academic Honor Roll

Pitt – Shep Turk

• OL, Soph
• Short, sweet … I like it
• Fun fact:  Also wrestled & played baseball in HS

Florida State – Quintrevion Wisner

• RB, Senior
• 11 letters!
• Fun fact:  Usually goes by Tre

Not totally sure what’s going on here

VT – Deed Capper

• Weird last name, meet weird first name
• LS, Junior
• Fun fact:  Has yet to see action

From TikTok

Louisville – Montavin Quisenberry

• WR, Soph
• Ditto
• Fun fact:  Selected Mr Kentucky Football

Syracuse – Jartavius Flounoy

• DL, Soph
• Same
• Fun fact:  Communication & Rhetorical Studies major

Miami – Somourian Wingo

• WR, Fr
• Alright, this is getting silly
• Fun fact:  Also had offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, South Carolina Tennessee & others

SMU – Toa Katoa

• OL, Fr
• Hey, it rhymes!
• Fun fact:  Full first name is Pupungatoa

BC – Israel Oladipupo 

• DL, Soph
• “Pupo” is gonna make any name funny
• Fun fact:  Biology major

Cal – Jojo Genova

• OL, Frosh
• Alliteration for the win!
• Fun fact:  ACC Academic Honor Roll

Georgia Tech – Rocco Xerogeanes

• TE, Frosh
• Good luck with that one, announcers!
• Fun fact:  4.2 GPA in HS

En famille

Stanford – Owen van Loben Sels

• WR, Junior
• Geez, how many surnames does a guy need?
• Fun fact:  Grew up 5 minutes way from campus

NC State – Vander Ploog

• TE, Soph
• And do you have a first name as well?
• Fun fact:  Both parents played college hoops

UNC – Jimmy-Phrisco Alo-Suliafu

• DL, Frosh
• Dude, just go with Jimmy
• Fun fact:  Hawaii native

Wake – Steele Pizzella

• QB, Frosh
• Steel pizza, anyone?
• Fun fact:  Ran track in HS

Red Sox Fun Facts – Pitchers

Last week, position players. This week, pitchers.

Sonny Gray

Was the lead in a high school play

Fittingly, the play was High School Musical, with Gray playing the part of Troy Bolton (an athlete who decided to go out for the school play). Gray also acted in Grease and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. He and his wife still enjoy going to the theatre to this day.

Ranger Suarez

Brothers are Raymer and Rosmer, with sister Rangerlin

Payton Tolle

Eats 8 bananas before every start

To reduce cramping. “Monkeys never cramp,” he claims.

I think Payton would fit right in here as well

Jake Bennett

Is 6’6”

I have no idea if he played basketball in high school (but I would certainly hope so)

Somehow, I don’t think this is the same guy

(thanks anyway, Google Images)

Brayan Bello

Weighed only 130 lbs when he signed at age 18

At 6 feet tall, his BMI was 17.6, which made him officially underweight

Still skinny, he is now in the overweight range
(probably due to muscle mass)

Patrick Sandoval

Meditates before his starts

He also likes to put a towel over his head. He uses the Calm app.

Garret Crochet

Idolized Big Papi growing up

In Mississippi! Crochet wore Ortiz’s #34 while playing at Tennessee. He wore Papi’s #45 while playing with the White Sox.

Tanner Houck

Wore a size 14 shoe when he was 14 years old

 

With wife Abby

Aroldis Chapman

Defected from Cuba

He did so in the Netherlands. He then established residency in Andorra. Coming from a third country allowed him to avoid the draft and declare free agency.

Garrett Whitlock

Knows American Sign Language

His mom is a professional ASL interpreter

Greg Weissert

Is part Italian, and played for Team Italy in the WBC

His paternal grandmother is from Calabria

Erik Miller

Weighs 270 lbs

On a 6’5” frame, that gives him a BMI of 32, which officially makes him obese

Red Sox Fun Facts – Position Players

My wife and I are huge Red Sox fans. We pretty much don’t miss a game.

During the game the other night, the announcers mentioned that Sonny Gray is an actor. I had heard that before, as well as that Wilyer Abreu is a barber.

I was wondering if any other players had some hidden talents.  It’s a big roster, so I’m covering position players this week. Pitchers next week.

Adley Rutschman

Was a placekicker on the Oregon State football team as a freshman

Yes, he also played on the baseball team as well. In fact, he won the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy while there.

Connor Wong

His stepfather, Matt Maysey, played in MLB

Maysey played 2 years, for the Expos and Brewers. He got in 25 games, posting a 1-2 record, with 1 save and a 5.55 ERA.

Willson Contreras

Brother William is also in MLB

Like his brother, William is still active. William’s played 7 years total, with Atlanta & Milwaukee. He’s a catcher, and has been a 3-time All Star and 2-time Silver Slugger. 

The two grew up very poor in rural Venezuela. They practiced with a broomstick and wadded up pieces of paper. 

Nick Sogard

Grew up a Red Sox fan

In Southern California!

As high school soccer player 

Trevor Story

Hit 96 as a pitcher in high school

He also was the QB. He gave that up, though, to concentrate on baseball. Surprisingly, he has not pitched since then.

Caleb Durbin

Can juggle

“He sees juggling as a helpful exercise for hand-eye coordination … While it helps with general coordination, he notes that it is not directly part of playing baseball and has little practical use in everyday life.” [Google AI]

Anthony Seigler

Is Navajo (Dine)

He was born on the rez in Arizona, but then grew up in Georgia. He is the second Navajo in MLB history, the first being former fellow Red Sox player Jacoby Ellsbury.

With mom and Navajo flag

Isiah Kiner-Falefa

Is related to Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner

They’re second cousins twice removed

And, yes, they both played for the Pirates

Andruw Monasterio

Signed for a mere $7,500

At age 17, he showed up at a Cubs tryout in Venezuela. They subsequently signed him for 0.3% of the what the top international signing got that year. Monasterio then spent 10 years in the minors before finally making his way to the bigs.

As Akron RubberDuck

Roman Anthony

Father, brother & grandfather are all named Anthony Anthony

He grew up in a close-knit Italian family in South Florida. Not sure where that peuliar naming tradition came from though.

Cheering him on in his debut at Fenway

Ceddanne Rafaela

Middle name is Chipper, after Chipper Jones

His mom was a fan of fellow countryman (Curacao) Andruw Jones, rooted in turn for the Braves, and subsequently developed a love of Chipper Jones as well. Ceddanne’s full name is Ceddanne Chipper Nicasio Marte Rafaela. I have no idea where Ceddanne comes from.

Wilyer Abreu

Can cut hair

He picked up the skill in the minors, then practiced on his teammates for free. He owns a barber shop back in Maracaibo, Venezuela, where he’s from. He’s also visited barber shops in Boston to support a program that gives free haircuts to poor kids.

Jarren Duran

Grew up idolizing Dustin Pedroia

In California! He also credits Pedroia with making an adjustment to his batting stance in spring training that helped him raise his BA over 70 points.

Masataka Yoshida

Nickname in Japan is “Macho Man”

It all started when Yoshisa chose the Village People song as his walkup music. The stadium video board played along by showing a cartoon of him lifting dumbbells. Finally, the stadium started selling plastic dumbbells at games. 

Not sure why he chose that song. Seeing as he’s only 5’8”, maybe there’s a little irony going on.

Mickey Gasper

Was drafted #817

By the Yankees! Though from NH, Mickey actually grew up a Yankee fan (his family’s from New Jersey).

Mickey’s signing bonus was a mere $5,000. He came out of Bryant Univ., in Rhode Island, one of only four alum who made it to the bigs.

Nate Eaton

Played for Team GB in the World Baseball Classic

His mom is a native