Boston Red Sox All-Star First Baseman Weighs In On Offseason Needs

Whether it's his frustration with the Milwaukee Brewers continuing to hit him with pitches, his injury, or even his thoughts on how the organization is run. Boston Red Sox All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras has never been afraid to speak his mind. 

The last time Contreras met with the Boston media was after the Red Sox season-ending loss in Game 2 of the Wild Card series against the New York Yankees. Contreras was, at times, outspoken about the team's need for more talent, while choosing to bite his tongue at other times when asked what changed from the team's 32-5 stretch to the end of the season. 

As Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow told reporters at the team's end-of-season press conference on Oct. 5, he, manager Chad Tracy, and Contreras met for more than two hours to discuss his frustrations with how the season ended and the team's direction. 

Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe got the chance to catch up with the All-Star during the World Series in Tampa, where Contreras was watching his younger brother, Brewers catcher, William. 

“After you lose in the playoffs and get kicked out, you get frustrated,” he told Abraham about the conversation with Breslow and Tracy. “But it was nothing to take personal. I think we had a great meeting. It’s going to be good for next year. We’re on the same page, which is the most important thing.”

In addition to discussing his meeting with Breslow and Tracy, Contreras weighed in on what he thinks the team needs heading into 2027, taking a more diplomatic approach than he did after the season ended. "I think we need some more offense,” he said. "That's for Breslow to figure out," he continued. 

The 34-year-old was the driving force of the offense in his first season in Boston. Contreras had a career year in 2026, hitting .275/.386/.516/.901 with 21 doubles, a career-high 27 home runs, driving in a career-high 81 runs. 

However, the team had little beyond Contreras to provide consistent offense. As the first baseman battled through hamstring and hand injuries down the stretch, the Boston offense wavered, finishing September with the fewest runs in baseball. 

As we've discussed since the start of the Red Sox offseason, Contreras is right: the Red Sox need more on offense, especially in the power department. However, Breslow will have to take a hard look at the roster and find where to add those pieces. With only one hitter, utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa, set to depart in free agency, Boston has many of their 2026 starters returning. 

Whether it's a third consecutive offseason of outfield logjam discussions or finding spots for potential lineup upgrades, Breslow has his work cut out for him in the weeks leading up to the lockout on Dec. 1.