MLB Insider Urges Red Sox to Make Bold Move for Pete Alonso in Free Agency
Boston, MA – As the Boston Red Sox prepare for the offseason, one of the most pressing questions remains: how can they rebuild a roster that fell short of playoff contention in 2025? MLB insider Rob Bradford has made a bold suggestion, urging the team to target one of the most potent power hitters on the market this winter—Pete Alonso.
Alonso, the New York Mets' slugging first baseman, is poised to become a free agent after exercising an opt-out clause in his contract. The 29-year-old has been a consistent force in the batter's box, smacking 38 home runs and driving in 126 RBIs in 2025, and Bradford believes that Alonso would be an ideal fit for the Red Sox’s lineup as they look to bolster their offense for the future.
“I think Pete Alonso is the perfect addition for the Red Sox,” Bradford stated. “He’s a guy who can deliver consistent power, drive in runs, and give the team the protection it needs in the middle of the lineup. Alonso doesn’t just hit home runs—he’s a player who thrives in pressure situations and brings a level of intensity that this team could use.”
Bradford went on to explain that while Alonso may not be as flashy as some of the other high-profile free agents, such as Juan Soto, his ability to hit for power and his leadership qualities make him a strong fit for a team in need of a spark. “This isn’t about the biggest name, this is about the right fit,” Bradford said. “Alonso is just the kind of player that the Red Sox need—a proven hitter with power who can step in and make an immediate impact.”
Red Sox’s Need for Power
The Red Sox, who ranked 14th in the American League in home runs in 2025, struggled with offensive consistency throughout the year. The addition of a slugger like Alonso would immediately address that issue, providing the Red Sox with a reliable power bat in the heart of the order. A proven run producer, Alonso could anchor the Red Sox lineup alongside players like Rafael Devers, giving Boston a formidable offensive core to build around.
However, adding Alonso will not come easy. The slugger is expected to have several suitors, including the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers. Each of these teams could offer Alonso a significant contract and a chance to compete for a championship, making it clear that the Red Sox will need to be aggressive in their pursuit of the star first baseman.
A Key Move for the Future
If the Red Sox want to return to championship contention in the near future, signing Alonso could be a game-changing move. His presence would not only stabilize the middle of their lineup but also send a clear message to fans that the team is serious about competing in 2026 and beyond. The Red Sox have the financial resources to make a competitive offer, but whether they can lure Alonso away from other contenders remains to be seen.
In the coming weeks, the Red Sox front office will likely be making their pitch to Alonso, hoping that his power and leadership can help restore Boston to its rightful place among the league’s elite teams. With the right moves in free agency, including a potential deal for Alonso, the Red Sox could soon find themselves back in the thick of the playoff hunt.
Julius Wood Returns to Cowboys' Practice Squad After Drug Suspension and Injury Setbacks
After he went undrafted out of East Carolina in 2024, defensive back Julius Wood has several offers on hand, including from the Cowboys. With good reason–during his time with the Pirates, he’d started 24 straight games and developed a reputation as a hard-hitting safety who twice led the team in tackles from the defensive backfield and was a first-team All-American Athletic Conference selection.
Wood ultimately chose to sign on with Dallas, and said at the time, “I feel like it was the situation, the roster aspect — that was the most important — being able to compete. Really, it came down to where I feel like was the best fit. … I felt like the Cowboys, in my heart, was the place I needed to be at.
He spent that summer with the Cowboys but was, ultimately released at the end of camp. Wood did sign on with Tennessee, though, and was put on the active roster, playing nine games, mostly on special teams.
On Tuesday, though, Dallas announced that Wood is back, as the team wrote on Twitter/X: “The @dallascowboys signed DB Julius Wood to the practice squad.”
Julius Wood Suspended in 2024
Wood’s NFL career got off to an ignominious start with the Titans because, after making appearances in the kicking game and getting five snaps as a defensive back, the NFL suspended him for the use of performance-enhancing drugs. It was a six-game suspension.
But Wood has turned the page on last season, and is back with a chance to help the Cowboys out of a desperate situation with their defensive backs. Malik Hooker is out with a toe injury and has been placed on IR, which will keep him out for at least four games, though perhaps longer.
The team started Juanyeh Thomas in Hooker’s place in Week 5, and elevated Alijah Clark from the practice squad, opening a spot for Wood.
Cowboys Hoping to Get Healthy
The injury-ravaged Cowboys are 2-2-1 and sorting through the timetables of getting players back in the next two weeks. The hope is that their interior offensive linemen–at least Tyler Booker and Tyler Smith–will be on the field in Week 6. There’s hope that CeeDee Lamb will return in either Week 6 or 7, too.
“It’s still early. I think we’ll find out more in the next couple of days. I think we’re trending in the right direction on a few guys,” coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters.
“I’m seeing progress on all the guys. Whether they’re able to make it to this weekend? We’ll see, but I do think we’re closing in on some good markers for these guys in the next couple of weeks.”
