The Red Sox are back with a bang, and their roster is set to ignite a fiery debate! After a disappointing three-year drought, they've made a strong comeback, securing a playoff spot last season and aiming for the World Series in 2026. But here's where it gets controversial... their starting rotation is stacked, but the rest of the team is a puzzle waiting to be solved.
With an active offseason, the Red Sox have revamped their pitching staff, leaving some intriguing questions. Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow has been busy, making 12 trades and clearing out depth players. Now, they enter the new season with a potential top-tier starting rotation, but the rest of the roster is a work in progress.
As pitchers and catchers prepare to report, the Red Sox are still seeking an infield bat and need to sort out their outfield situation. They have an abundance of depth starters but a shortage of traditional relievers. Amid this uncertainty, one thing is certain: the roster will evolve before Opening Day.
Starting Rotation:
The first four spots are locked, with Garrett Crochet likely to start Opening Day, followed by Ranger Suarez, Sonny Gray, and Brayan Bello. But the fifth spot is up for grabs, and it's a battle that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Johan Oviedo, Kutter Crawford, Patrick Sandoval, Kyle Harrison, Connelly Early, and Payton Tolle are all in the running. Early, Tolle, and Harrison might start in Triple-A, leaving Oviedo, Crawford, and Sandoval as the favorites. For now, we project Oviedo as the No. 5 starter, but this could change.
Bullpen:
The Red Sox have a surprising lack of relievers, with only eight traditional relievers on the 40-man roster. Aroldis Chapman will return as the closer, and Garrett Whitlock as the top setup man. Justin Slaten, Greg Weissert, and Zack Kelly have clear paths, and Jovani Moran is the favorite left-handed option. Ryan Watson, a Rule 5 pick, is also expected to make the cut.
The Red Sox will likely add more relievers, including another lefty to compete with Moran. Non-roster invitees like lefty Alec Gamboa and righty Kyle Keller, who signed a minor league deal, are worth watching.
Catchers:
Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong are set as the starting catchers, with Mickey Gasper as the third option. Matt Thaiss, Jason Delay, Nate Baez, Nathan Hickey, and Ronald Rosario are non-roster invitees who will get their chance to impress during spring training.
Infielders:
The infield is a work in progress, with Willson Contreras and Trevor Story as locks to start. The second and third base jobs are up for grabs, with Romy Gonzalez, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Marcelo Mayer, and Kristian Campbell in the mix. My prediction is Mayer at third, with Kiner-Falefa or Gonzalez at second, and the other as a utility player. Kristian Campbell might start in Triple-A.
Nate Eaton seems to have the edge over David Hamilton, Nick Sogard, Gasper, Tsung-Che Cheng, and Brendan Rodgers for the remaining bench spot.
Outfielders:
The outfield is a unique situation. The Red Sox have an abundance of starting-caliber outfielders, but fitting them all in is a challenge. Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, and Masataka Yoshida all bat left-handed, making platooning difficult.
The Red Sox need to add a right-handed bench outfielder to balance the lineup. They might trade Duran or Abreu, or find a taker for Yoshida. With a month and a half to go, the Red Sox have some decisions to make.
And this is the part most people miss... the Red Sox have the potential to be a force, but their roster is a delicate balance. Will they make the right moves? Only time will tell.
What do you think? Should the Red Sox stick with their current plan, or make some bold moves? Let's discuss in the comments!
