With a potential Major League Baseball lockout on the horizon, the Boston Red Sox face uncertainty in their offseason planning. A work stoppage would freeze player transactions, including free-agent signings and trades, leaving the front office unable to address roster needs.
Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and manager Chad Tracy, seen together at Fenway Park on September 7, 2026, will have to navigate a compressed timeline if a new collective bargaining agreement is not reached before the current one expires. The Red Sox, coming off a season that ended in September, are expected to be active in the market, but a lockout could delay or alter those plans significantly.
Industry sources suggest that teams are preparing for multiple scenarios, but the lack of clarity hampers long-term strategy. The situation remains fluid as negotiations between MLB and the players' association continue.
