Boston Red Sox fans should feel confident heading into what is shaping up to be an exciting baseball season.
Looking to take the next step after losing last year’s American League East wildcard series against the New York Yankees, the Red Sox had an extremely active offseason, which could easily result in them winning the American League East, followed by a long playoff run.
In an assortment of trades and signings, Red Sox General Manager Brian O’Halloran brought in some solid starting pitchers and now have an elite starting staff that could compete with anyone outside of the back-to-back World Series champions Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Red Sox Can Make Some Noise This Season
Boston Red Sox Have a Championship-Calibre Pitching Staff
The first key trade came on November 25, 2025, when veteran pitcher Sonny Gray and cash considerations were traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Red Sox in exchange for two pitching prospects in Richard Fitts, Brandon Clarke, and a player to be named latter or cash.
Gray, who is a three-time All-Star (2015, 2019 and 2023), is coming off a season with the Cardinals, which saw the 36-year-old go 14-8 with a 4.28 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 180.2 innings pitched.
While it can’t be disputed that Gray is not the same pitcher as he was in his prime, this 13-year veteran, who is slotted to be the Red Sox’s number three starter, brings leadership and experience to the clubhouse.
Early in spring training, he made a tremendous impression on manager Alex Cora. “This guy is locked into his craft,” Cora said. “A lot of communication. It’s been impressive so far, not only with us, but with his peers. There’s a reason he’s pitched so long in the big leagues, and he’s been successful.”
During his career, Gray has pitched for the Oakland A’s, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, Cardinals and now Red Sox.
Coming into the season, Gray has a 125-102 record with a 3.58 ERA and 1,925 RBI’s.
Looking for more pitching depth, the Red Sox made a statement on December 4th when they improved an already incredibly deep starting rotation by acquiring starting pitcher Johan Oviedo in a five-player deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
After missing the entire 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery, Oviedo made it all the way back last year as he started nine games and went 2-1 with a 3.57 ERA, with 42 strikeouts in 40 1/3 innings.
Boston is confident that Oviedo, who is only 27 years-old, can get back to his 2023 form when he threw 177.2 innings and struck out 158 batters.
Following third baseman and former Red Sox Alex Bregman’s decision to sign with the Chicago Cubs, Boston improved their starting rotation even more when, on January 21st, they gave Red Sox Nation more reason to be excited when the team signed 30-year-old veteran lefty Ranger Suarez to a five-year, $130 million-dollar contract.
Known for his calmness under pressure, Suarez is coming off a solid campaign, which with the Philadelphia Phillies, saw him go 12-8 with a 3.20 ERA and 151 strikeouts in 157.1 innings.
Suarez comes to Boston with a lifetime 53-37 record with four saves and 701 strikeouts in the first eight years of his career.
Meanwhile returning to the rotation will be 26-year-old Brayan Bello, who last season went 11-9 with a 3.35 ERA and 124 strikeouts in 166.2 innings.
Red Sox Management did a great job this past-winter in formulating a solid starting pitching staff who have the potential to lead the Red Sox into the World Series.
Red Sox Will be Relying on Speed and Contact to Score Runs
The Red Sox strategy heading into the season will be putting the ball in play and using their speed to make things happen.
One of the many questions Red Sox fans have is whether outfielder/DH Jarren Duran can rebound after last year’s inconsistent season.
Duran, whose name for the past year or so has been brought up in trade speculation, brings unbelievable speed and solid defense.
This 2024 AL All-Star, who is still a Red Sox saw his numbers last season take a bit of a dip as he hit for a .256 average with 159 hits, 86 runs, 41 doubles, 13 triples, 16 homeruns, 84 RBI’s and 24 stolen bases. Two years ago, Duran had a breakthrough season which in 2024 saw him produce 191 hits, 111 runs, 48 doubles, 21 homeruns and 34 stolen bases. No question, this 29 year-old is a major key to Boston’s offence.
Another key to the Sox offence will be third baseman Caleb Durbin who they acquired on February 9th 2026 in a multi-player deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Durbin, who is only 25 years-old, finished last year third in rookie of the year voting after hitting for a respectable .256 average with 114 hits, 11 homeruns, 60 runs, 18 stolen bases and 53 RBI’s in only 136 games.
Anchoring the Red Sox infield along with also playing a major role in the teams offensive punch is 33 year-old veteran shortstop/second baseman Trevor Story who is a two-time All-Star (2018, 2019).
Last season, Story was healthy for the first time in four years where he produced 161 hits, 25 homeruns, 96 RBI’s, 91 runs, 31 stolen bases and a .263 batting average.
Center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela also brings quite a lot to the table. Rafaela, who is only 25 years-old, is coming off a season which saw him end up with a .985 fielding percentage which placed him as an American League Gold Glove finalist. Besides solid fielding, Rafaela also brings an offensive upside which saw saw him last season hit .249 with 136 hits, 16 homeruns, 84 runs, 63 RBI’s and 20 stolen bases.
In late December, Boston’s lineup received a tremendous boost when in a multi-player deal with the Cardinals, they acquired veteran first baseman/DH Willson Contreras who last season mashed 20 homeruns, 80 RBI’s, 70 runs scored, 126 hits, 5 stolen bases while hitting for a .257 batting average.
Besides Contreras, another homerun threat in the Sox lineup is 24 year-old outfielder Wilyer Abreu who in his third season reached career highs with 22 homeruns and 69 RBI’s. For the season Abreu hit .247 hit with 92 hits, 17 doubles, 6 stolen bases.
Red Sox Outfielder Roman Anthony Looking for Breakthrough Season
Red Sox fans got just a small sample size of why there is so much excitement surrounding outfielder Roman Anthony.
Last season, this 21 year-old placed third in the American League Rookie of the Year balloting. Anthony, whose season came to an end on September 3rd due to an oblique strain ended up in 257 at bats hitting .292 with 76 hits, 8 homeruns, 48 runs scored, 32 RBI’s and 4 stolen bases.
The Red Sox signed Anthony back on August 6th, 2025 to an eight-year 130 million dollar deal.
Anthony’s best month came in August when he for a .304 average while producing six homeruns, 13 RBI’s, four doubles, 21 runs scored and two stolen bases which gave him Rookie of the Month honours.
Not only does Anthony have to stay healthy for Boston to have a chance at the division, but must also take that next step towards being an impact star player.
This promises to be a fun summer of baseball in New England as the Red Sox have a talented team capable of some big things this year.
Main Image: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
