Two former Red Sox players, Walker Buehler and Dom Smith, have returned to the National League, joining division rivals. Buehler, a right-handed pitcher, signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres, while Smith, a first baseman and left fielder, is in Atlanta Braves camp. The Red Sox signed Smith to a one-year contract in 2024, replacing an injured player. The team also boasts two elite Rule 5 Draft arms, Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten, who have contributed to recent success. Manager Alex Cora highlights the importance of these players' strike-throwing abilities. Additionally, the Red Sox acquired Ryan Watson from the San Francisco Giants in a Rule 5 trade. Rafael Devers, however, has responded to criticism from Red Sox chairman Tom Werner, stating that the matter is in the past. Cora also believes that Brendan Rodgers, a former Colorado Rockies infielder, has untapped potential both offensively and defensively. The team is considering players like Andruw Monasterio, Nate Eaton, and Nick Sogard for their versatility and ability to hit left-handed pitching.
