he Boston Red Sox have two major needs this offseason. One is adding a frontline starting pitcher to slot behind Garrett Crochet, while the other is getting a big bopper to replace Rafael Devers in the middle of the lineup.

Given the Red Sox’s resources, they will likely sign a big-name free agent to satisfy one of those needs and perhaps make a trade to address the other.

Seeing as how Boston already sent four prospects to the Chicago White Sox for Crochet last winter, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal expects the Red Sox to sign a pitcher like Framber Valdez or Dylan Cease rather than trade for one like Joe Ryan.

“We’re not even sure Joe Ryan is going to be traded,” Rosenthal said on Monday’s episode of “Fair Territory.” “And it just seems to me after making the Crochet deal last year and trading four prospects, really good prospects…that the Red Sox’s preference would be to sign a free agent…It just would seem that that would be the way to go.”

Rosenthal said that while Boston has a strong farm system if it wants to trade for another starter, he thinks going the free agent route makes more sense, especially with all the money freed up by trading Devers in June.

With other money coming off the books as well and a reported willingness to go over the luxury tax again, the Red Sox have some payroll flexibility this winter. However, Rosenthal noted that they could opt to trade for a starter instead if the free agent prices start getting out of control.

It’s been a while since Boston signed a top-tier starting pitcher to a big free agent deal after getting burned by the David Price and Chris Sale contracts, but if Rosenthal’s right, that could change this offseason.