Amidst the swirling trade rumors surrounding the Red Sox, two top prospects are taking different paths to improve their game. This offseason, the Red Sox have a lot on their plate, from adding power hitters to strengthening their pitching rotation. Every position on the infield, except for shortstop with Trevor Story's return, is up for grabs. Boston might also bolster its bullpen with some new arms.
Free agency and trading top prospects are both options to address these needs. And it's these prospects, pitchers Payton Tolle and Connelly Early, who have been at the center of trade talks this offseason and even during the July 31 trade deadline.
But here's where it gets interesting: both Tolle and Early have chosen to focus on their craft rather than get caught up in the speculation.
"I've tried to distance myself from social media a bit," Tolle said while volunteering with his teammates at the Wonderfund warehouse. "I'll check in occasionally to stay updated on the latest news."
Tolle understands that baseball is a business and trades are part of the game. Early shares a similar perspective, stating, "I don't pay too much attention to the rumors. The Red Sox are a big market team, so we're always looking to bring in new talent. Who knows who it'll be?"
While the trade rumors persist, Tolle and Early are dedicated to improving their skills to contribute to the 2026 Red Sox.
Tolle is refining his secondary pitches, particularly his changeup. Early, on the other hand, is focused on bulking up and increasing his average fastball velocity.
Tolle's changeup is a work in progress. Last offseason, the Red Sox had him focus on building strength and increasing his fastball velocity. This offseason, the focus has shifted to his secondary pitches, with an emphasis on the changeup.
"Some of it comes down to Tolle's subjective comfort level and his ability to execute and command those pitches," said Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow.
Tolle believes his changeup has the potential to become a formidable weapon. "I think it's a great tool. You see a lot of guys with great changeups, and they execute it well. So, I've been putting more thought into developing my changeup."
The changeup was a popular pitch across the majors in 2025, with pitchers throwing a combined 73,099 changeups, resulting in a 31.0% whiff percentage and holding opponents to a .229 batting average.
"I'm also working on my cutter and curveball, trying to refine those pitches," Tolle added. "The key word I've been using this offseason is 'feel.' I need to get more reps with these pitches. I think the changeup will be a good addition to my repertoire."
Tolle threw his fastball 64.1% of the time during his seven regular-season outings for Boston in 2025, averaging 96.6 mph, which was in the 85th percentile among major league pitchers. He ranked in the 99th percentile in extension, making his heater even more formidable.
However, Tolle needs to incorporate his secondary pitches more frequently to become more effective and make his fastball even more dominant. The Red Sox also want him to throw his fastball higher in the zone to induce more swings and misses.
"In today's baseball, velocity is king," Tolle said. "Working on your velocity improves your overall game. It's not just about the fastball. We've established a solid foundation with strength and velocity, and now we're focusing on utilizing that velocity with different pitches."
Meanwhile, Early is taking a different approach. He started Game 3 of the AL Wild Card series and has been working on his diet to bulk up this offseason.
"My dad is on a strict health-focused diet, eating smaller portions and lots of salads and chicken and rice," Early said. "It's funny being at home with him doing that while I'm trying to put on weight and eat larger portions."
Early has already gained 10-12 pounds this offseason after working with nutritionists to develop a new meal plan.
"I'm eating larger portions and trying to fit in a fourth meal every day," Early explained.
Maintaining weight during the season is a challenge for Early, so bulking up during the offseason is crucial.
"During the regular season, if I'm starting that day, it's a bit harder for me to eat due to nerves," Early said. "I've dedicated a lot of time to focusing on my diet and building my body for the season."
Early's fastball is a strength, and he wants to see it get even faster in 2026.
"It's not about gaining a lot of velocity; it's about raising the floor of my velocity," Early clarified. "If I can maintain a slightly higher number, it should improve my overall performance. Adding velocity to fastballs generally leads to better performance. Taking a step forward in my career has allowed me to add a bit of velo, and if we can continue this trend naturally, it'll be fantastic."
So, while the Red Sox navigate their offseason moves, Tolle and Early are staying focused on their individual journeys, each with their unique approach to improving their game.
What do you think? Do you agree with their strategies? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
