This story was excerpted from Ian Browne's Red Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here . And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

BOSTON – By the end of this week, the Dodgers or Blue Jays will be crowned World Series champions. While the end of the season is always jarring for all of us who love baseball, there’s a second season on deck, and it has just as much intrigue.

We speak, of course, of the Hot Stove season, which will start as soon as the World Series ends. While the Red Sox took a big step in 2025, ending a three-year postseason drought , they are looking to make a much deeper run in ‘26 and bring some playoff games back to Fenway Park.

Here is a primer for what is ahead in the offseason.

Which players are free agents?

Left-handers Ste

See Full Page