{"id":116590,"date":"2026-03-25T20:10:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T00:10:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=116590"},"modified":"2026-03-25T20:10:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T00:10:21","slug":"2026-boston-red-sox-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/03\/25\/2026-boston-red-sox-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Boston Red Sox Preview: Can This Team Be World Series Contenders?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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?<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 Boston Red Sox Preview: Can This Team Be World Series Contenders?<\/h2>\n

Brief 2025 Recap\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

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<\/span> Rafael Devers<\/span><\/a> 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, <\/span>Roman Anthony <\/span><\/a>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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Offseason Recap<\/b><\/h3>\n

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 <\/span>Ranger Suarez<\/span><\/a> to a five-year, 130-million-dollar contract. They also signed <\/span>Isiah Kiner-Falefa<\/span><\/a> to a one-year, six-million-dollar contract. In addition to those signings, they traded for <\/span>Sonny Gray,<\/span><\/a> Willson Contreras<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Caleb Durbin<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

While they were successful with the additions, they also lost big pieces. <\/span>Alex Bregman<\/span><\/a> left for the Cubs. Fan-favorite outfielder <\/span>Rob Refsnyder<\/span><\/a> left for the Mariners. Promising pitchers <\/span>Richard Fitts<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Hunter Dobbins<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Kyle Harrison<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Brandon Clarke<\/span><\/a> were all traded. Speedster <\/span>David Hamilton<\/span><\/a> was also traded in the Durbin deal. A lot of key pieces from the Red Sox\u2019s postseason push last year are now gone. Now it\u2019s time to retool.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 Roster Overview<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Pitching Staff\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Starting Rotation\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
    \n
  1. Garrett Crochet<\/span><\/a> (18-5 W\/L, 2.59 ERA, 5.5 K\/BB)<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Sonny Gray<\/span><\/a> (14-8 W\/L, 4.28 ERA, 5.3 K\/BB)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Ranger Su\u00e1rez (12-8 W\/L, 3.20 ERA, 4.0 K\/BB)<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Brayan Bello<\/span><\/a> (11-9 W\/L, 3.35 ERA, 2.1 K\/BB)<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Connelly Early<\/span><\/a> (1-2 W\/L, 2.33 ERA, 7.3 K\/BB)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Despite losing <\/span>Lucas Giolito<\/span><\/a>, 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 <\/span>very solid<\/span><\/a> 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 <\/span>land him the spot as the 5th starter<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Bullpen<\/span><\/h4>\n