If Red Sox don't sign Soto, is this slugger their backup plan?

MLB.com is keeping track of all the latest free-agent and trade rumors involving the Red Sox right here.

Nov. 22: Red Sox considered a top candidate for Teoscar if they don't sign Soto
The Red Sox are definitely one of the teams vying for Juan Soto. However, will this year's No. 1 free agent actually end up with Boston? MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi said Friday that he will be "surprised" if that happens.

If Soto does sign elsewhere, the Red Sox will have to pivot to some of the other big bats on the market, and Morosi considers Boston to be one of the top candidates to sign Teoscar Hernández.

"If Juan Soto goes somewhere else ... get ready to listen to a lot of conversation about Teoscar and the Boston Red Sox," Morosi said during Friday's edition of Hot Stove.

The 32-year-old Hernández is coming off a fantastic season with the Dodgers, highlighted by a career-high 33 home runs. That was his first season in the National League after eight years in the American League. During that time, Hernández posted strong numbers as a visitor in Fenway Park: That includes 14 home runs in 170 at-bats and a .282/.344/.606 slash line.

Morosi considers the incumbent Dodgers as another top candidate for Hernández and said the Orioles may be interested in him as well.

Last week, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported (subscription required) that the Dodgers are the "favorites" to bring back Hernández while also including the Red Sox, O's and Yankees as contenders.

Nov. 21: Red Sox meet with Snell; Boston also talking to Burnes, Fried (report)
The Red Sox have made their pitch -- or at least an initial one -- to Juan Soto. They are apparently trying to convince one of the top starting pitchers on the market to come to Fenway, too.

According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal (subscription required), the Red Sox have met with free-agent southpaw Blake Snell. Per Rosenthal, they are "covering their bases" by talking to Corbin Burnes and Max Fried as well. Boston was previously linked to both Snell and Fried by ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy confirmed to The Boston Globe on Wednesday that the Red Sox did meet with Soto and said there is "extreme urgency internally" for the team to do whatever it takes to compete for an AL East title in 2025. That includes the possibility of taking the team's payroll beyond the Competitive Balance Tax threshold of $241 million.

"We are investing more than we did last year," Kennedy said. "... Look, we have to add, and that’s what we’re trying to do, but I think we’re in a good position to add right now."

As for what Boston will add, Kennedy said "everything is on the table," but singled out pitching as a "high priority."

Boston's starting staff tied for seventh best in ERA this past season (3.81) and has three solid arms in the prime of their careers coming back next season: Brayan Bello, Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford. The club also expects to get Lucas Giolito back next year after he missed all of 2024 while recovering from right elbow surgery.

However, Boston has a vacancy to address on its starting staff after free agent Nick Pivetta turned down the team's qualifying offer. Adding one of the elite arms on the market would not only fill that hole but also give the Red Sox the bona fide ace they've lacked since Chris Sale was in his prime.

Nov 15: Soto has 'productive' 3-hour meeting with Red Sox (report)
The Red Sox met with Soto and his representatives, including agent Scott Boras, in Southern California on Thursday night, according to a report from Sean McAdam of MassLive. The meeting, which was of an introductory and informative nature, lasted for three hours and was deemed as “productive,” though neither money nor terms were discussed between the parties.

Soto was reportedly “impressed” by Boston’s presentation, which included a video noting the franchise’s history of star players from the Dominican Republic, Soto’s native country. The Red Sox also detailed their plans for the future, highlighting a promising group of prospects who could potentially team up with Soto to help the club be successful in the years to come. Soto is expected to continue to meet with more teams in Southern California over the next few days.

Nov. 12: Red Sox have Soto atop their 'want list'
The Red Sox are expected to meet with Juan Soto this week, per a report from ESPN's Jeff Passan (subscription required). He adds that Boston has Soto "at the top of its want list."

The Red Sox join the Mets, Yankees and Blue Jays as teams that have meetings scheduled with Soto -- Toronto's meeting will be first, according to Passan -- while teams such as the Dodgers and Rays have shown interest.

Passan expects Soto to sign with a team before the end of the year, and maybe even by the MLB Winter Meetings, which begin on Dec. 9. He writes that the Mets and Yankees are still the favorites to land the 26-year-old superstar.

Boston has other free agents in its sights besides Soto. Passan reports that the club is in on left-handed starter Max Fried and right-handed slugger Teoscar Hernández. The Red Sox would also like to bring back outfielder Tyler O'Neill and are interested in trading for White Sox ace Garrett Crochet.

Nov. 7: Are Red Sox the favorites to acquire Crochet?
The Red Sox have six position players on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list, including three in the top 10. They also have a few attractive pieces already at the big league level who are not yet eligible for arbitration. That group includes first baseman Triston Casas, catcher Connor Wong and Gold Glove outfielder Wilyer Abreu.

With so much high-quality position-player depth, "there’s a widespread sense that the Sox can trade for nearly anyone," according to The Boston Globe's Alex Speier (subscription required). Many starters could be options for the pitching-needy Red Sox, but one who stands out is White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet.

MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi said Thursday from the General Managers Meetings that the Red Sox are "the team I think a lot of people around here are looking at very carefully" regarding a Crochet trade.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Tuesday that there is more interest surrounding Crochet now than at this season's Trade Deadline and that Chicago is focused on adding position players in trades. As such, the Red Sox and White Sox seem like a good match to make a deal. Crochet, 25, is under club control for two more seasons.

But it's not a lock that Boston will add a notable starter via trade. Instead, it could get what it needs via free agency. According to The Boston Globe's Pete Abraham, the Red Sox have told multiple agents at the GM Meetings that they "plan to be active in the free-agent market."

Corbin Burnes, Jack Flaherty, Blake Snell and Max Fried are some of the top starting pitchers on the open market. But no matter how they do it, the Red Sox need to add a front-line starter this offseason.

Nov. 5: Red Sox extend qualifying offer to Pivetta, who has 'surprisingly strong' market
The Red Sox gave the qualifying offer to starting pitcher Nick Pivetta on Monday. The right-hander has until 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 19 to either accept or decline the one-year offer, which would pay him $21.05 million for the 2025 season. If Pivetta accepts, he returns to Boston on a one-year deal. If he declines, he can negotiate a free-agent deal with all teams, including the Red Sox.

By extending Pivetta a qualifying offer, the Red Sox ensured they will get a comp pick in the 2025 MLB Draft if he signs with another team. Pivetta, 31, was one of 13 MLB players to receive a qualifying offer on Monday. From 2012 (when the system was implemented) through 2023, only 13 of the 131 players who received a QO accepted it.

It's an "interesting decision" for Pivetta, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. Accepting the QO would represent quite a raise for the right-hander, who made $7.5 million this season. But there appear to be multiple teams interested the 31-year-old. Per MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi, Pivetta has a "surprisingly strong" market.

Although he turned in a 4.14 ERA this season, Pivetta's expected ERA was significantly better (3.59). Pivetta has also increased his strikeout numbers over the past two seasons and ranked among MLB's top 10 starting pitchers this year (minimum 140 innings pitched) in K-BB rate. His 22.9% mark sat sixth between Jack Flaherty and Logan Gilbert.