At the start of last offseason, the Boston Red Sox had their eyes set on two things: Alex Bregman and a front-line starter to anchor their rotation. Fast forward to 2026, and while Bregman is now suiting up for the Cubs, Boston’s pitching staff has quietly become one of the deepest in the American League - and arguably one of the most dangerous.
The Red Sox didn’t land their top target, Max Fried, who signed a record-breaking eight-year, $218 million deal with the Yankees. Boston reportedly offered seven years and $190 million, but that wasn’t enough to keep Fried from heading to the Bronx. It was a tough pill to swallow, especially considering the Yankees now roll out a rotation featuring Fried, Carlos Rodón, Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, and Cam Schlittler - a group that’s as formidable as any in baseball.
But here’s the thing: Boston didn’t just recover - they reloaded.
Breslow’s Pivot Pays Off
Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow turned what could’ve been an offseason letdown into a rotation overhaul. The Red Sox added Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray, Johan Oviedo, and Ranger Suárez - a quartet that gives them both depth and upside, with a mix of proven veterans and breakout potential.
Crochet, in particular, has already made his mark in Boston. Acquired in a blockbuster deal with the White Sox, he quickly proved he was worth the steep price tag.
In 2025, he delivered a 2.59 ERA, 159 ERA+, 1.028 WHIP, and led the majors with 255 strikeouts in 205.1 innings. That performance earned him a runner-up finish in the Cy Young race behind Tarik Skubal - and a six-year, $170 million extension to stay in Boston as the staff ace for the foreseeable future.
Suárez, signed to a five-year, $130 million deal, brings postseason pedigree and consistency. Since being converted to a starter in 2022, he’s been a reliable No. 2 option.
In 2025, he posted a 3.20 ERA with a 1.220 WHIP, striking out 151 while walking just 38 over 157.1 innings. He’s not a high-volume innings guy, but when the lights are brightest, he delivers - his career postseason ERA sits at a sparkling 1.48 over 42.2 innings.
Depth for Days
Beyond the headliners, Boston’s rotation options run deep. Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford remain in the fold, while Patrick Sandoval, Kyle Harrison, and Payton Tolle offer intriguing upside. Add Connelly Early and David Sandlin to the mix, along with a handful of Triple-A arms, and the Red Sox have the kind of depth that can withstand a long season - or even a couple of injuries.
Sonny Gray, now 36, continues to defy age with elite command and an ability to limit walks. He’s not overpowering, but he knows how to pitch - and that still plays.
Oviedo is more of a wild card. He’s coming off elbow surgery and has only logged one full season, but his stuff is electric when healthy.
His four-seamer held hitters to a .149 batting average in 2025, and his 98th-percentile extension gives him a deceptive edge that’s tough to square up.
The Bigger Picture
Missing out on Fried hurt - no doubt. Watching him land with the Yankees of all teams added salt to the wound.
But in hindsight, the Red Sox may have built something more sustainable. Instead of tying up $218 million in one arm through age 38, they spread their resources across four starters, each with a chance to outperform their contracts.
Boston didn’t get their Plan A. But what they’ve built might be even better. With a rotation that’s both deep and dynamic, the Red Sox are well-positioned to make noise in 2026 - and they’ve done it with a smart, calculated pivot that’s already paying dividends.