Though Christmas is still weeks away, Craig Breslow seems to have gone out and gotten Red Sox Nation a great present. On Friday, reports said free agent Jake Bauers would sign with Boston on a four-year, $58 million deal. This comes less than a month after the first baseman was a postseason hero for the World Series-winning Milwaukee Brewers. It’s an intriguing move for Beantown. While undeniably exciting and a splashier signing than expected at all this offseason, the move raises further questions about how the lineup will change before the next Opening Day.
Jake had himself quite a 2026. The 31-year-old managed a .266 average and an .874 OPS, along with 26 home runs. He continued his respectable year through October, when several stellar at-bats propelled him to NLCS MVP. This marked a real turnaround for the former Brewer, who was cut from their 40-man roster in 2024 after significant struggles. After securing the Fall Classic-clinching final out at first, though, it’s safe to say the slugger was securely a force to be reckoned with.
Where that out happened is notable for the Sox, given that they already have a stellar first baseman. Willson Contreras was hands-down their best hitter last year, and played with a unique passion that seemed to fuel the locker room. The 2026 NLCS MVP’s numbers, .275 average with 27 home runs, are slightly better than the new guy’s, with more sustained career success. That said, Bauers would be right behind “Bowser” in the roster rankings and would certainly be the best lefty, unless Roman Anthony turns back into the Boston sports legend he was once purported to be. The initial reaction is that the two former National League boys might split time between first and DH, perhaps with more time for Willson in the field, given that he has the better glove. Hopefully this position transition goes smoothly and doesn’t lead to Rafael Devers-esque issues.
The implications probably will not stop there, though. An additional hitter now pretty much guarantees someone will be moved before 2027. Jarren Duran is the key long-debated name, with Masataka Yoshisa as a close second. They, along with a pitcher or two, could be part of a bigger trade. Perhaps a shortstop next? Perhaps one more big shakeup? More than anything, grabbing the Milwaukee star signals that Craig Breslow wants to buck his quiet reputation and be a man of action. Watching him and his front office this winter just got a lot more fun.
