How would you grade the Red Sox offseason?

Good morning and welcome to among the finest days of the yr. Say it with me: pitchers and catchers.

Pink Sox spring coaching formally opens as we speak and, with yesterday’s Caleb Durbin trade, Craig Breslow is most likely accomplished making any vital transactions.

So with the offseason basically closed, let’s check out how the Pink Sox group has modified because the Cam Schlittler Sport.

Listing organized by 2025 bWAR:

Listing organized by 2025 bWAR:

Notable Minor League Departures

Listing organized by highest SoxProspects.com rating:

Notable Minor League Additions

Listing organized by present SoxProspects.com rating:

So what conclusions can we draw from this. I’ll take a stab at a pair.

First, I feel it’s inarguable that, barring accidents, the roster that can open the 2026 season is extra proficient than the roster that closed out 2025. Craig Breslow has assembled arguably the only greatest pitching workers in baseball — one that isn’t solely robust on the high of the rotation, however deep, with a few high-end prospects who will begin the season in Worcester. And whereas the lineup could not carry out in addition to it did in 2025 with out Alex Bregman and a half a yr of Rafael Devers, Willson Contreras is a stable addition whereas Caleb Durbin seems to be to be a very good wager to be league common.

However having stated that, the roster stays unbalanced and I’m very anxious in regards to the lineup usually. There may be numerous strain being placed on younger gamers to step up. Roman Anthony most likely must carry out at an All-Star stage in his first full season for this Pink Sox workforce to go anyplace (I feel he can and can). Whereas Marcelo Mayer, Ceddanne Rafaela, Carlos Narvaez, Triston Casas, and Caleb Durbin — all of whom have vital query marks — all have to contribute. It’s simple to easily say that Anthony will substitute Devers manufacturing and Contreras will substitute Bregman’s. And maybe that can occur. However Contreras comes with vital threat of age-related decline (as does Trevor Story) and we can’t rely on linear development from Anthony. The lineup may doubtlessly be anemic towards left-handed pitching, whereas an unlucky damage or some stalled improvement may make issues ugly within the infield.

Talking of age-related decline, can we rely on Aroldis Chapman to as soon as once more be among the finest relievers in baseball? Craig Breslow is actually doing simply that, as he has barely touched the bullpen.

And, in fact, we will’t ignore the minor leagues. Breslow has expended so much of prospect capital over the previous two years, significantly on the place participant aspect, the place you might argue that Franklin Arias is now the one notable prospect in the complete system.

All of this brings me to my conclusion: Craig Breslow improved the Pink Sox within the 2025-26 offseason, however he didn’t enhance the workforce sufficient. With an rising famous person in Roman Anthony, one of many recreation’s best starters in Garrett Crochet, a deep rotation, and a core of low-cost, thrilling younger gamers, the Pink Sox must be able to push for ~98 wins and a stress-free trip to the postseason. As a substitute, I feel they’re most likely solely a pair wins higher than final yr’s workforce and, with just a few dangerous breaks, may miss the postseason solely.

For these causes, I’ll give him a stable B. What’s your grade?