The 2025 MLB Winter Meetings began Sunday in Orlando, Fla., and the Boston Red Sox have already been linked to multiple stars in the rumor mill.

Will Boston make any noteworthy moves before the meetings conclude on Wednesday? That remains to be seen, but Craig Breslow has already proven to be active this time of year since taking over as chief baseball officer. The Red Sox completed their blockbuster deal for ace Garrett Crochet during last year’s Winter Meetings.

What’s in store for Boston this time around? Here’s the latest from Orlando:

The Joe Ryan dream may be dead

Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan has been linked to the Red Sox since the 2025 MLB trade deadline. Boston inquired about the 29-year-old in July, but according to reports, the two sides never came close to completing a trade.

Don’t expect Ryan to join the Red Sox rotation this offseason, either.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Twins don’t intend to deal Ryan or any other stars on their roster, despite their trade deadline fire sale. WEEI’s Rob Bradford later added that the Red Sox have “drawn back on their pursuit” of Ryan.

From Winter Meetings: Per source, Red Sox have drawn back on their pursuit of Joe Ryan. Also worth noting, Connelly Early was never introduced by the Red Sox as part of the trade deadline talks last season.

— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) December 8, 2025

An All-Star in 2025, Ryan is an ideal trade target for a Red Sox club that could still use a true No. 2 starter to slot behind ace Garrett Crochet. He’s coming off a strong campaign in which he posted a 3.42 ERA and 1.035 WHIP with 194 strikeouts and 39 walks in 31 games (171 innings).

Instead, it looks like the Red Sox are content with their current starting pitching staff, which looks something like this after acquiring Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals and Johan Oviedo from the Pittsburgh Pirates:

Garrett Crochet, LHP

Sonny Gray, RHP

Brayan Bello, RHP

Johan Oviedo, RHP

Kutter Crawford, RHP

Other depth options include Connelly Early, Hunter Dobbins, Patrick Sandoval, Payton Tolle, and Kyle Harrison. It’s a relatively deep staff, but one that could use at least one more frontline starter.

Nevertheless, it appears Boston will shift its attention to the big bats on the trade and free-agent markets.

Conflicting reports on Ketel Marte

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason, and those rumors have only heated up at the Winter Meetings. Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported that the Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays were among the clubs showing interest in trading for Marte.

Blue Jays among teams, along with Red Sox and others, interested in D-Backs superstar Ketel Marte. Talks happening but nothing hot yet.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 8, 2025

Marte would be an excellent fit for the Red Sox as one of the best offensive infielders in the league. Second base has been a revolving door for Boston over the last few years, and the three-time All-Star would undoubtedly provide stability at the position.

Don’t get too excited, though, Sox fans. Bradford poured cold water on the Marte-to-Red Sox rumors shortly after Heyman’s report:

From Winter Meetings: I’m told no real momentum involving possible Red Sox deal for Ketel Marte

— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) December 8, 2025

Marte, 32, slashed .283/.376/.517 with 28 homers and 72 RBI last season. He signed a team-friendly six-year, $116.5 million contract with Arizona last April, so it would likely take a hefty trade package to acquire him.

It would be a risky move for a middle infielder approaching his mid-30s, but Marte would add much-needed slugging to the Red Sox lineup while filling one of the roster’s most glaring voids at second base.

Polar Bear sighting in Florida

If you’re a Sox fan who’s bummed out by the Ryan and Marte updates, here’s one that should cheer you up: The Red Sox are among the teams Pete “The Polar Bear” Alonso plans to meet with in Orlando, according to Heyman.

Alonso checks all the boxes for Boston as a right-handed-hitting slugger who can split time between first base and DH. The 31-year-old’s swing is tailor-made for Fenway Park.

Outside of the abbreviated 2020 MLB campaign, Alonso has tallied at least 34 homers in each season of his seven-year career. Last year he hit 38, earning his fifth All-Star nod and finishing 11th in National League MVP voting. He also remained one of baseball’s most durable players, appearing in all 162 games for the second consecutive season.

If the Red Sox are serious about bolstering the middle of their lineup, they should prioritize signing Alonso this winter.

Royals a perfect match?

Earlier this month, it was revealed that the Kansas City Royals would be willing to trade one of their top starting pitchers — including left-hander Cole Ragans — for outfield help. Rosenthal shared an update Sunday, noting that the Royals hope to acquire two outfielders this offseason, one via trade and one in free agency.

Despite the Red Sox’ apparent satisfaction with their current starting staff, this makes them a perfect trade partner for Kansas City. Their outfield is crowded, and Jarren Duran is widely expected to be one of their most valuable trade chips. Although the Royals seem to prefer right-handed-hitting outfielders, Duran is too talented to pass on if Boston includes the 2024 All-Star in an enticing package.

Ragans would immediately slot in as the No. 2 starter behind Crochet, but the Royals appear more motivated to move fellow southpaw Kris Bubic. The 28-year-old broke out in 2025, notching a 2.55 ERA in his first All-Star season.