The Red Sox are gearing up for a thrilling season, but a crucial battle is brewing in the rotation that will shape their success. After a disappointing three-year drought, the team is eager to reclaim their former glory, having made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2021. Despite falling short in the Wild Card Series against the Yankees, the Red Sox are determined to build on their momentum and contend for the World Series in 2026.
This winter has been a whirlwind of activity, with Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow orchestrating a league-leading 12 trades. The club's pitching staff has undergone a complete overhaul, while several depth pieces have been cleared out. Interestingly, the Red Sox waited until January to sign a free agent, missing out on their top target, Alex Bregman, and eventually landing right-hander Ranger Suarez.
As the new season approaches, the Red Sox boast a formidable starting rotation, arguably the best in baseball. However, questions linger about how the rest of the roster will come together. With pitchers and catchers reporting on Tuesday, the team is still in search of an infield bat and faces a complex outfield situation. Moreover, while the club has an abundance of depth starters, they are surprisingly lacking in traditional relievers.
In the midst of this uncertainty, one thing is certain: the roster will undergo significant changes before Opening Day. Let's delve into our initial projection of the Red Sox's 26-man roster.
Starting Rotation:
The first four spots in the rotation seem set in stone, with Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suarez, Sonny Gray, and Brayan Bello leading the charge. But the fifth spot is up for grabs, and the competition will be fierce. Six starters have a realistic chance of securing this coveted position, including Johan Oviedo, Kutter Crawford, Patrick Sandoval, Kyle Harrison, Connelly Early, and Payton Tolle. Early, Tolle, and Harrison will likely start in Triple-A, leaving Oviedo, Crawford, and Sandoval as the frontrunners.
But here's where it gets controversial: The Red Sox acquired Oviedo by trading away a top outfield prospect, Jhostynxon Garcia. Oviedo pitched well after returning from Tommy John surgery last summer, but is he the best choice for the fifth spot? The team must also decide the fate of the two veterans who don't make the cut. A six-man rotation could be an option, but it often proves more challenging in practice. The more likely scenario is moving the odd men out to the bullpen, but Sandoval, with his $9.1 million salary and history as a starter, could be traded instead.
Bullpen:
The Red Sox's bullpen is surprisingly thin, with only eight traditional relievers on the 40-man roster. Aroldis Chapman will reprise his role as the closer, with Garrett Whitlock as the top set-up man. Justin Slaten, Greg Weissert, and Zack Kelly are poised to be mid-leverage options, while Jovani Moran is favored to be the lone non-closer left-hander. Ryan Watson, a Rule 5 pick, should also secure a spot.
The team is expected to bolster this group soon, seeking another lefty option to compete with Moran and Samaniego. Several non-roster invitees will also vie for a spot, including Alec Gamboa, who excelled in Korea last season, and Kyle Keller, a recent minor league signing with a solid track record in Japan.
Catcher:
Carlos Narvaez will likely start the season as the primary catcher, with Connor Wong as his backup. Mickey Gasper, Matt Thaiss, Jason Delay, Nate Baez, Nathan Hickey, and Ronald Rosario will compete for playing time during spring training.
Infielders:
The Red Sox infield is still a work in progress. Breslow has emphasized the need for an impact bat, preferably a right-handed power-hitter. Willson Contreras, acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals, fits the bill, but the team seeks at least one more player to complete the lineup. Contreras and Trevor Story are locks to start, while Romy Gonzalez, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Marcelo Mayer, and Kristian Campbell will compete for the second and third base positions. Mayer is expected to start at third, with one of Kiner-Falefa or Gonzalez at second, and the other serving as a utility player. Nate Eaton appears to have the edge for the remaining bench spot over several non-roster invitees, including former Gold Glove winner Brendan Rodgers.
Outfielders:
The Red Sox outfield is a conundrum. The team has an abundance of starting-caliber outfielders, but accommodating them all is a challenge. Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, and Masataka Yoshida can't all take the field simultaneously without sacrificing a position. Additionally, four of them bat left-handed, limiting platoon options. The club also lacks outfield depth, with Campbell being the best choice for a bench role, but he would benefit more from regular playing time in Worcester.
And this is the part most people miss: Gonzalez and Eaton can play in the outfield, but if one of the five 'starters' occupies a bench spot, the Red Sox lose a valuable utility player. Braiden Ward, a non-roster invitee, could be the next man up. Expect a shakeup before Opening Day, with potential trades involving Duran, Abreu, or Yoshida. Adding a right-handed bench outfielder to replace Refsnyder would be a wise move.
The Red Sox have a lot to sort out in the coming weeks, and the rotation battle will be a key factor in their success. What do you think about the team's decisions so far? Are there any moves you'd like to see before Opening Day? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's discuss the team's prospects for the upcoming season!
