Beginning with the Winter Meeting last Monday, three major free agent targets for the Red Sox have come off the board:

- Tuesday: Kyle Schwarber agrees to terms on a five-year, $150 million deal with the Phillies

- Wednesday: Pete Alonso agrees to terms on a five-year, $155 million deal with the Orioles

- Saturday: Jorge Polanco agrees to terms on a two-year, $40 million deal with the Mets

As the free agent market continues to dry up more and more by the day, the Red Sox remain in desperate need of adding more consistent offense in their lineup.

With options dwindling, the trade market is looking more and more like the most viable option for Boston’s pursuit of finding bats this offseason. But to add talent, you have to be willing to part with talent.

We’ve all seen the Jarren Duran rumors, and we’re all well aware of the fact that at least one body from that outfield needs to go before opening day next spring. Whether that’s Duran or Wilyer Abreu or Ceddanne Rafaela remains to be seen. Duran feels like he’s been at the top of that list for quite some time, but we all know how these things can change in an instant.

Focusing specifically on the major league roster, below are the three most untradeable players on the Red Sox this offseason.

Yes, the top two are obvious. But I think by undergoing this thought exercise, it’s a helpful reminder of the glass-half-full view Red Sox fans can choose to take if they’re looking for a positive spin this holiday season.

No. 3 is the most interesting name to discuss here, if we’re being honest:

3. Carlos Narvaez, C

This name might come as a surprise, but hear me out.

Coming into the 2025 regular season, Narvaez was thought to be a depth piece behind Connor Wong, who had established himself as an above average catcher at the plate just one season prior. Wong’s bat was seen as a plus for the lineup, someone the team was counting on to have another successful offensive season.

Out of the gate, it was clear that wasn’t going to happen. And when Wong broke his pinky finger on April 7, it cleared the runway for the former Yankees prospect to grab the catching job and run with it.

In 446 plate appearances across 118 games played, Narvaez batted .241 with an on base percentage of .306 and a slugging percentage of .419. His .726 OPS was among the highest at his position in all of baseball.

On top of his 15 homers and 50 RBI, Narvaez consistently came up with clutch hitting throughout the season, never feeling like the moment was too big despite his lack of experience at the major league level.

When Wong was ready to return to the lineup in May, Narvaez had already taken the ball and ran with it. It was his job to keep, and it looks like that will be the case moving forward after a successful surgery on the meniscus in his left knee.

Entering his age 27 season, Narvaez is about to be in the heart of his prime years. Having one of the best offensive catchers in baseball, one that was also a Gold Glove finalist in his rookie season, is an invaluable piece for a lineup in need of consistent hitting throughout the batting order.

This was someone who spent time last year as Boston’s cleanup hitter. As a rookie catcher! Who knows what this guy’s ceiling truly could be.

I know some people may have wanted to see either Aroldis Chapman or Garrett Whitlock in this spot. And there were reports on Saturday of Boston being reluctant to put Marcelo Mayer in trade talks. I can understand the arguments for all three of those names. I just think a 27-year-old offensive catcher with Gold Glove potential is more valuable and less replaceable than any of those other three names.

2. Garrett Crochet, SP

No need to dive too deep into these next two names. I think it’s best I use this time to explain why Crochet is No. 2 rather than No. 1:

- Age
- Durability

After leading the majors in strikeouts (255) in 2025 on his way to a runner-up finish for AL Cy Young, Crochet immediately lived up to the hype he came with after being acquired by Boston in a trade last December in exchange for Kyle Teel and others.

After a season like that, there’s no denying his status as a true ace at the major league level. So if I’m splitting hairs and trying to decide between him and Roman Anthony for the top spot on this list, I have to cling to something.

Crochet will turn 27 next June. Anthony will turn 22 next May.

Crochet underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022, causing him to miss that entire season. He also had left shoulder inflammation in 2023 that caused him to only appear in 13 games that year.

When pitchers have things like this in their past, there’s always a chance they could pop back up as problems again in the future.

I’m not saying they will. I’m just telling you why I have Anthony over Crochet for the purposes of this exercise.

1. Roman Anthony, OF

Had he not had to wait until June 9 to get the call-up from Worcester, there’s a chance the 21-year-old would have had a real chance to win AL Rookie of the Year, rather than just finishing as a finalist.

Widely regarded as baseball’s top prospect when he arrived in the majors, Anthony made an immediate impression.

Over 71 games, he posted a .292 average with 8 home runs and 32 RBI, pairing his production with a patient approach that resulted in a .396 on-base percentage. His rookie season was cut short, as an oblique injury sidelined him for the final stretch of the regular season and kept him out of Boston’s postseason push. Had that not happened, there’s a chance the Red Sox get just enough offense to squeak by the Yankees in the Bronx after taking a 1-0 series lead.

Anthony will obviously be the star of the lineup in 2026, though the composition of that group remains unsettled.

Who will be starting next to him in the outfield, where he’ll almost assuredly be playing left field?

Who will be batting behind him, as he’ll almost assuredly be the team’s leadoff hitter?

Will Anthony’s power jump to a level where it makes sense to have him batting in either the three-or-four hole instead?

Regardless of the answers to any of these questions - Anthony is the unquestioned face of this franchise. As an everyday player and without the bevy of former injuries in his past, he gets the nod for the top spot on this list.

MORE RED SOX STORIES:

Another One Off The Board For Boston As Jorge Polanco Signs With Mets

While Marcelo Mayer Isn't Untouchable, Red Sox Reluctant To Include Him In Trade Talks

Red Sox Top 8 Remaining Offseason Offensive Targets

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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.