The 2025 Red Sox were a team to remember, as they made it to the playoffs for the first time since that (possibly) overachieving 2021 squad. After several moves and new additions to the 2025 team, the 2026 Red Sox have a new look to them. Could they end up going all the way this year?
2026 Boston Red Sox Preview: Can This Team Be World Series Contenders?
Brief 2025 Recap
The 2025 Red Sox started a little rough, going into June with a 28-32 record. Then, shock went through the fanbase as franchise star Rafael Devers got traded mid-June. Depending on the person, the move may have been expected due to behavioral concerns throughout the season. It left a big void in power, though, and it still does, in a way. But after that move, Roman Anthony got called up, and Boston went on a surge. Between July and August, they went 34-18. They would end the regular season with a record of 89-73, clinching a Wild Card spot in the American League. Unfortunately, that is as far as they went, losing to the New York Yankees in the Wild Card round.
Offseason Recap
The Red Sox made plenty of additions this offseason to compete at the next level. Although they were the last team to sign a free agent, their first signing was a big splash. They signed Ranger Suarez to a five-year, 130-million-dollar contract. They also signed Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a one-year, six-million-dollar contract. In addition to those signings, they traded for Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Caleb Durbin.
While they were successful with the additions, they also lost big pieces. Alex Bregman left for the Cubs. Fan-favorite outfielder Rob Refsnyder left for the Mariners. Promising pitchers Richard Fitts, Hunter Dobbins, Kyle Harrison, and Brandon Clarke were all traded. Speedster David Hamilton was also traded in the Durbin deal. A lot of key pieces from the Red Sox’s postseason push last year are now gone. Now it’s time to retool.
2026 Roster Overview
Pitching Staff
Starting Rotation
- Garrett Crochet (18-5 W/L, 2.59 ERA, 5.5 K/BB)
- Sonny Gray (14-8 W/L, 4.28 ERA, 5.3 K/BB)
- Ranger Suárez (12-8 W/L, 3.20 ERA, 4.0 K/BB)
- Brayan Bello (11-9 W/L, 3.35 ERA, 2.1 K/BB)
- Connelly Early (1-2 W/L, 2.33 ERA, 7.3 K/BB)
Despite losing Lucas Giolito, a solid pitcher who is still a free agent, the Red Sox took advantage of their depth to make upgrades. Crochet was the runner-up for AL Cy Young. Gray, while taking a step back last year, is still a very good pitcher. Suarez is a new addition who owns the postseason, owning a 1.48 career ERA in the playoffs. Bello is coming off a very solid Spring Training and World Baseball Classic, allowing only one run across four starts and 19 innings between the Red Sox and the Dominican Republic. Early had a strong month with Boston despite the record, as well as a strong Spring Training that would land him the spot as the 5th starter.
Bullpen
- Johan Oviedo (2-1 W/L, 3.57 ERA, 1.8 K/BB)
- Jovani Moran (two Games, 6.75 ERA, 1.7 K/BB)
- Danny Coulombe (Nine holds, 2.30 ERA, 2.4 K/BB)
- Greg Weissert (17 holds, 2.82 ERA, 2.7 K/BB)
- Justin Slaten (Seven holds, 4.24 ERA, 2.5 K/BB)
- Garrett Whitlock (24 holds, 2.25 ERA, 3.8 K/BB)
- Aroldis Chapman (32 saves, 1.17 ERA, 5.7 K/BB)
Due to Early winning the fifth starter battle, Oviedo will now be moved to a bullpen role and a “piggyback starter”. Moran is arguably the biggest question mark here, as he has pitched two games in 2024 and 2025 combined. Coulombe was a recent signing who was really needed by the organization, given their issues with left-handed bullpen options. Weissert, Slaten, and Whitlock have been mainstays in the bullpen and (mostly) reliable options. Then there’s Chapman, who is the reigning AL Reliever of the Year, coming off the best season of his career. The pitching staff is definitely loaded with names, and that’s not including top prospect Payton Tolle, who got sent down to Worcester on Monday. It also does not include injured pitchers such as Tanner Houck, who could come back strong.
Hitting
Starters
- C: Carlos Narvaez (.241/.306/.419, 15 HRs, 50 RBIs)
- 1B: Willson Contreras (.257/.344/.447, 20 HRs, 80 RBIs)
- 2B: Marcelo Mayer (.228/.272/.402, four HRs, 10 RBIs)
- SS: Trevor Story (.263/.308/.433, 25 HRs, 96 RBIs)
- 3B: Caleb Durbin (.256/.334/.387, 11 Hrs, 53 RBIs)
- LF: Jarren Duran (.256/.332/.442, 16 HRs, 84 RBIs)
- CF: Ceddanne Rafaela (.249/.295/.414, 16 HRs, 63 RBIs)
- RF: Wilyer Abreu (.247/.317/.469, 22 HRs, 69 RBIs)
- DH: Roman Anthony (.292/.396/.483, eight HRs, 32 RBIs)
While there are still some major questions surrounding second base with Mayer starting at his third position in two seasons, the infield appears to be set as of now. Another notable point is that Duran is in left, while Anthony’s the DH. The assumption going into the season is that they will both split time at those respective positions. Other than those two notes, this lineup looks good. If Story and Abreu can stay healthy, there shouldn’t be worries about a shortage of power from this lineup.
Bench
- C Connor Wong (.190/.262/.238, zero HRs, seven RBIs)
- INF Andruw Monasterio (.270/.319/.437, four HRs, 16 RBIs)
- INF Isiah Kiner-Falefa (.262/.297/.334, two HRs, two RBIs)
- OF/DH Masataka Yoshida (.266/.307/.388, four HRs, 26 RBIs)
With Triston Casas and Romy Gonzalez recovering from injuries, the bench admittedly seems weaker than it usually is. But Yoshida is still a solid contact hitter who can get on base, and the new addition, Monasterio, seems to be of the same caliber. Wong and Kiner-Falefa are iffy picks, but hopefully, they can bounce back.
Other Outlet’s Power Rankings
- MLB: Seventh
- ESPN: Ninth
- Bleacher Report: Seventh
- The Ringer: Eighth
Prediction
This revamped Red Sox squad is definitely an American League contender, up there with Toronto and Seattle. If they’re a contender for the league, one would assume they’re a World Series contender. And the answer to that is simple: be patient. On paper, this Boston team could hoist the Commissioner’s trophy when it’s all said and done. But there are still some issues to fix and see. Although the rotation looks solid, Suarez’s preseason troubles and Early’s adjustment to a full season are key areas to watch on that side of the ball. Mayer is a huge name to watch as well, seeing how the former top prospect adjusts to a new position and if he hits better. If these issues and a couple more work out, then there’s no reason to believe they can’t. But for now, it’s a wait-and-see situation.
Main Photo Credits: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
