The Boston Red Sox have not made the postseason since 2021. In years past, ownership and the front office have been “in on” many of the big time free agents and have called other clubs for possible trades, but nothing much happened. This offseason was different. After extending manager Alex Cora in the summer, they went out and acquired LHP Garrett Crochet from the White Sox and then added INF Alex Bregman right at the start of Spring Training. The buzz around the squad hasn’t been like this for a long time.
Here is my full Red Sox season preview, something I haven’t done since the aforementioned 2021 campaign. Here, I will breakdown potential lineups, rotations, the bullpen, and big-name prospects that could help the Sox for a postseason push at the end of the summer.
Potential Lineups:
Facing a RHP (with Masataka Yoshida fully healthy):
1. Jarren Duran (L) - LF
2. Alex Bregman (R) - 2B
3. Rafael Devers (L) - 3B
4. Trevor Story (R) - SS
5. Triston Casas (L) - 1B
6. Masataka Yoshida (L) - DH
7. Connor Wong (R) - C
8. Wilyer Abreu (L) - RF
9. Ceddanne Rafaela (R) - CF
This is the best possible lineup the Red Sox can field from an offensive perspective. Duran looks to build on his breakout campaign, Bregman adds power and a great eye to get on for Devers and the middle of the lineup. Story and Casas are coming off injury-riddled seasons, but both pack pop that will elevate any offense. Yoshida is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery on an injury that has plagued him since coming over from Japan two years ago. He'll start the season in Worcester, but his bat-to-ball skills are something the lineup needs. The bottom third is a solid trio of guys who can get on base for the top of the lineup.
Facing a LHP:
1. Jarren Duran (L) - LF
2. Rafael Devers (L) - DH
3. Alex Bregman (R) - 3B
4. Triston Casas (L) - 1B
5. Trevor Story (R) - SS
6. Rob Refsnyder (R) - RF
7. Connor Wong (R) - C
8. Kristian Campbell (R) - 2B
9. Ceddanne Rafaela (R) - CF
Another similar lineup at the top, but with some minute matchup-dependent changes. Campbell, one of the top prospects in the majors, has made the Opening Day roster. Refsnyder is a well-traveled vet coming off his best year in 2024 who rakes vs. lefties. I would expect a platoon with him and Abreu.
Likely Opening Day Scenario:
1. Jarren Duran (L) - LF
2. Alex Bregman (R) - 3B
3. Rafael Devers (L) - DH
4. Trevor Story (R) - SS
5. Triston Casas (L) - 1B
6. Wilyer Abreu (L) - RF
7. Connor Wong (R) - C
8. Ceddane Rafaela (R) - CF
9. David Hamilton (L) - 2B
With Yoshida to possibly be on the IL for a bit, Hamilton would slide into the 2B position, shifting Bregman to third, and Devers to the DH spot. Hamilton is a speedy infielder who can be a serviceable player until one of the top prospects is called up. Campbell may also start, but the Sox are facing old friend Nathan Eovaldi that day, who is a righty.
Other Options:
Vaughn Grissom (R) - 2B
Carlos Narvaez (R) - C
Nick Sogard (L) - INF
Romy Gonzalez (R) - INF
Trayce Thompson (R) - OF
Overall Thoughts:
Boston can do a lot of things with their lineups this season that they haven't been able to doover the past few seasons. There are a lot of talented young guys vying for limited roster spots as well as good hitting veteran leaders. With the Rafael Devers drama about the 3B position this February, many are calling for him to be the full-time DH. While I do believe his comments have been taken way out of proportion, it also isn’t that easy. It comes down to the job at second, and Yoshida’s health. Masataka was a very good hitter in 2023, but with the injuries from last year and surgery from this offseason, he has no trade value. He is set to make $18.4 million each of the next three years, so he won’t sit on the bench every day.
With second base up in the air, and nobody really pulling away with it, some days Bregman will have to play there, and Devers at third. What has been overlooked is that Bregman had offseason surgery on his elbow, while saying he can play "wherever." Bregman will likely take most games at 3B, but Devers will get his fair share of contests there too, at least until someone locks up the job at second. Having Bregman also puts less pressure on Kristian Campbell to perform early, which will aid his development if he does struggle in the first few months.
Rotation Projections:
1. Garrett Crochet (L)
2. Tanner Houck (R)
3. Walker Buehler (R)
4. Brayan Bello (R) - On IL to start, likely Richard Fitts (R)
5. Lucas Giolito (R) - On IL to start, likely Cooper Criswell (R)
6. Kutter Crawford (R), On IL to start, can be Quinn Priester (R), or Sean Newcomb (L)
Overall Thoughts:
There’s no guarantee that Cora goes with a six-man staff, but they definitely have the depth to do so when they're healthy. On paper, the rotation looks very good, but there are legitimate questions. Crochet, who posted a 3.58 ERA with 209 strikeouts in just 146 innings last year, was on an innings limit by the end of the season. Buehler, who recorded the final out in the Fall Classic for LA, will go into his first full season since his second Tommy-John surgery. Giolito begins the year on the IL with a hamstring issue after missing all of last season with Tommy John. Houck, Bello, and Crawford all threw the most innings in their careers last season, with the trio’s performance dipping down the final stretch of the campaign. Fitts and Priester haven’t seen much MLB action, while Criswell had a solid season last year, and Newcomb is 5 seasons removed from his career year in 2019. Another player I should mention is southpaw Patrick Sandoval. He is set to miss at least half the season after getting Tommy John with the Angels in 2024. The combination of inexperience and injury is not a good one. While the rotation can get healthy and deliver, it’s hard to count on guys to build on great years. I would have been much more comfortable if the front office had added another veteran arm, but time will tell.
Bullpen Projections:
CL - Aroldis Chapman (L)
ST - Liam Hendricks (R)
HL - Justin Slaten (R)
MRP - Josh Winckowski (R)
MRP - Garrett Whitlock (R)
MRP - Zack Kelly (R)
MRP - Brennan Bernardino (L)
Other Possible Options: Greg Weissert (R), Chris Murphy (L), Zach Penrod (L), Luis Guerrero (R)
Key: CL - Closer, ST - Set-Up, HL - High-Leverage, MRP - Middle Reliever
Overall Thoughts:
Like the rotation, the pen has questions as well. Hendricks is a 2x Reliever of the Year winner, but like many on this team, is coming off of Tommy John. Chapman, while not as dominant as he was, is a solid back end arm. Slaten is on the come-up, having a great first year, but did miss time due to injury. Whitlock is coming off of, you guessed it, Tommy John, and is finally set to stay in the bullpen, where he was electric during his rookie season in ‘21. The other arms are solid options, but the Red Sox don’t have a true dominant bullpen ace like many other top teams. I would expect this to be the first place the front office addresses via an in-season trade.
Prospects to Watch:
1. Roman Anthony (L) - OF (ETA: Mid-Season)
Anthony, the top prospect in all of baseball, is a sweet-swinging 20-year-old that has loads of potential. Called up to Triple-A late in the season with Campbell and Mayer, he produced 16 extra-base hits in just 35 games with the WooSox. While he is young, I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes the big club by the All Star break, especially if he produces early on.
2. Kristian Campbell (R) - INF/OF (ETA: Made Opening Day Roster)
Campbell is the oldest of the Big 3, and the only one who went to college. Selected with the compensation pick from Xander Bogaerts' free agency departure, the former Georgia Tech standout clinched a spot the Opening Day roster. After a meteoric rise through the minors, he won Hitter of the Year last season, playing at three different levels. He can play in the infield or corner outfield, though he’ll likely wind up at second early on. He is the presumed Opening Day starter at second, but like all top prospects, expect some growing pains early.
3. Marcelo Mayer (L) - INF (ETA: Late Season/2026)
The former 4th overall pick has struggled with injuries as of late, but is still just 22 years of age. After tearing up Double-A and getting a promotion to Triple-A, he looks to make his Worcester debut this spring after missing the back half of 2024 with a back ailment. A SS by trade, Mayer has played at 3B and 2B this spring, and has hit very well. However, the lack of MiLB exposure likely means that he will continue to develop this year and may see a late season call up, barring any injuries. The logjams in the infield make it hard for him to break through, but don’t be fooled, Mayer is a main part of a bright BoSox future.
Overall Thoughts:
Former GM Chaim Bloom left the organization with a top-3 farm system in all of baseball, and this year, Boston will start to see some rewards, but will likely reap the full effects in 2026 and 2027. They have the depth to make major trades come the summer as well.
Overarching Thoughts and Predictions:
The bottom line is that this team is a whole lot better than 2023 and 2024. In a wide open American League, they very well can make some noise. However, there are a lot of question marks in the staff and bullpen that will have to be answered quickly if problems arise. Like any team, staying healthy is key, especially since 3 of their 6 starters will begin ‘25 on the IL. The Sox have loads of talent, and only time will tell if they are truly meant to contend.
A concern I have for this team is the lack of a plan for pitching in the future. Crochet, who required a haul of prospects (including the organization's past two 1st round picks), has only two seasons of team control. Buehler is on a one year deal, and there are no notable arms on the rise for the rotation. Crochet must be extended and someone else (one Dylan Cease perhaps) should be added if Houck, Bello, and Crawford regress this season. Nevertheless, I am more excited than I have been the last two years to watch Red Sox baseball.
Below are my predictions for this season's Sox. Make sure to check out my full MLB previews as well. I plan to cover more baseball this summer, so be on the lookout for more content coming in the future!
Team MVP: 3B Rafael Devers
Team Cy Young: LHP Garrett Crochet
Player to Watch: SS Trevor Story
Breakout Player: 1B Triston Casas
Top Prospect to Watch: Either Anthony, Campbell or Mayer (I’m going with Anthony)
Biggest Storyline for 2025: How will Cora manage a far superior team than 2023-2024?
Record: 86-76 (#6 seed in postseason)
Postseason: Lose in ALCS
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