Up next in our 2026 AL East preview series: the Boston Red Sox.
For the second straight offseason, Boston was aggressive in retooling its roster, even on the heels of an 89-win campaign.
The Rafael Devers trade last summer shocked the baseball world, but to Boston’s credit, the club went 45–32 in the months that followed. The Red Sox will look to carry that momentum into 2026.
KEY ADDITIONS: LHP Ranger Suárez (Free Agency), RHP Sonny Gray (Trade), 1B Willson Contreras (Trade), UTIL Caleb Durbin (Trade), RHP Johan Oviedo (Trade), UTIL Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Free Agency)
KEY DEPARTURES: 3B Alex Bregman (Player Option), RHP Hunter Dobbins (Trade), RHP Lucas Giolito (Mutual Option), LHP Steven Matz (Free Agency), OF Rob Refsnyder (Free Agency)
Boston clearly accomplished its goal of bolstering the starting rotation, but the lineup enters 2026 with legitimate question marks.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK:
2025 MLB Ranks: AVG (4th), OBP (8th), OPS (9th), HR (15th), wRC+ (103, 11th)
THE CONSTANT: ROMAN ANTHONY
With Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers no longer in the picture, the Red Sox are ready to embrace the Roman Anthony era.
The 2026 season will provide the first full sample size of the young outfielder, but the talent is already evident. Anthony slashed .292/.396/.463 (.859 OPS) with a 2.7 fWAR and a 140 wRC+ across 71 games in 2025. He also introduced himself on the international stage during the World Baseball Classic, launching two home runs and posting a .920 OPS.
STARTING PITCHING OUTLOOK:
2025 MLB Ranks: ERA (12th), WHIP (20th), K/9 (15th), FIP (15th)
The Sox rotation was pretty average last season, but with two trades and a big splash in free agency, the unit is poised for substantial improvement.
THE ACE: GARRETT CROCHET
Acquired from the Chicago White Sox last offseason, Garrett Crochet delivered immediately. In his first full season with Boston, he posted a 2.59 ERA and 2.89 FIP, struck out 31.3% of opposing hitters and eclipsed 200 innings for the first time in his career.
Health remains the primary concern. But when available, Crochet profiles as a bonafide top-five starter in the league.
THE EMERGING FORCE: CONNELLY EARLY
Boston features two intriguing young left-handers in Connelly Early and Payton Tolle, both of whom could contribute at the big-league level this season. Early gets the nod here after an impressive 2025 showing, posting a 2.33 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 19.1 innings.
He carried that momentum into spring training, recording a 1.59 ERA across 17 innings. A strong finish could secure him a spot on Boston’s Opening Day roster.
THE X-FACTOR: SONNY GRAY
The ceiling of this rotation may ultimately hinge on Sonny Gray, who was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals this offseason.
Gray’s 4.28 ERA in 2025 leaves room for skepticism, but underlying metrics suggest a different story. His 3.29 SIERA, 3.39 FIP and 3.07 xFIP indicate he remains highly effective. Whether results align with those indicators will be pivotal for Boston.
BIGGEST STRENGTH: THE PITCHING STAFF
It is very difficult not to be impressed with Boston’s pitching depth.
A potential front three of Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suárez and Sonny Gray gives the Red Sox a formidable rotation, while the bullpen offers plenty of support. Aroldis Chapman remains a premiere closer, and arms like Garrett Whitlock, Justin Slaten and former Oriole Danny Coulombe provide reliability.
With additional options such as Connelly Early and Payton Tolle available for reinforcement, Boston has both depth and flexibility — valuable assets for manager Alex Cora.
AREA OF CONCERN: LINEUP DEPTH
As with Tampa Bay, it is fair to question how much to trust this offense.
Roman Anthony headlines the group, and Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu and Willson Contreras should provide above-average production. Beyond that, however, concerns emerge, as Caleb Durbin owns the highest projected wRC+ among the remaining starters at just 102.
After finishing 11th in wRC+ last season, Boston appears likely to field a roughly league-average offense in 2026.
FINAL PROJECTIONS:
Projected Record: 87–75
Division Finish: 4th Place
It is unusual for an 87-win team to project fourth in a division, but that is the reality of the AL East.
A strong pitching staff paired with an average offense should keep Boston competitive throughout the season, with the Red Sox firmly in the mix for a Wild Card spot down the stretch.
What are your expectations for the Boston Red Sox this season? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, X, Bluesky and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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