The Boston Red Sox head into 2026 with a starting rotation that, on paper, could be the envy of the league. Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suárez, Sonny Gray, and Brayan Bello are all coming off strong 2025 campaigns, each showcasing the kind of stuff that can anchor a playoff-bound staff. But as any seasoned baseball fan knows, run prevention doesn’t start and stop on the mound - and that’s where Boston’s biggest question mark comes into play.
Let’s start with the rotation. Crochet posted a 2.59 ERA last season, Suárez checked in at 3.20, Bello kept hitters in check with a 3.35, and even Gray, who had the highest ERA of the group at 4.28, still managed to be a reliable arm.
These aren’t just solid numbers - they’re the kind of performances that suggest Boston has the horses to compete deep into October. But dig a little deeper, and a common thread emerges: all four pitchers lean heavily on ground ball outs.
In 2025, Bello ranked 11th in the majors with 202 ground ball outs. Crochet wasn’t far behind at 188 (16th), Gray tallied 167 (29th), and Suárez chipped in with 158 (42nd).
That’s a lot of balls being hit on the ground - and a lot of reliance on the guys behind them to turn those into outs. And that’s where things start to get dicey.
For all the talent on the mound, Boston’s infield defense hasn’t exactly held up its end of the bargain in recent years. The Red Sox led the league in errors last season, and their out-conversion rate - essentially, how often they turn balls in play into outs - left plenty to be desired. That’s a problem when your pitching staff is built around inducing contact on the ground.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow didn’t shy away from that reality when speaking Wednesday.
“We tend to get caught up in the pitching portion of run prevention, but there are other key components as well - defense being the most obvious,” Breslow said. “It’s really important that we improve our defense, particularly our infield defense.
I’d argue that we have the best defensive outfield in baseball, but we led the league in errors last year and our out conversion needs to be improved. We’ve done things internally to re-prioritize that, but any additions we may make will be mindful of the defensive skillset.”
That last part is telling. Boston knows it has a hole to fill - likely at second or third base - and it sounds like defense will be the driving factor in who they target to plug it.
Three names have been floated as potential fits: Nico Hoerner, Isaac Paredes, and Brendan Donovan. Each brings something different to the table, and each could slot in nicely alongside top prospect Marcelo Mayer, who’s expected to take over one of the middle infield spots.
Hoerner, 28, is the glove-first option. He’s already got two Gold Gloves (2023 and 2025) to his name and brings the kind of infield range and consistency that would instantly shore up Boston’s defensive woes. The Cubs may not be eager to move him, but with Alex Bregman now in the fold at third, there’s at least a path to a deal.
Paredes, 26, is the bat of the group. He’s coming off back-to-back All-Star seasons and posted a .245/.348/.420 slash line in 2025.
That’s solid production, especially at second or third base. The downside?
His defense doesn’t exactly move the needle - he’s averaged negative-three defensive runs saved over the past couple seasons. That’s a tough sell for a team trying to tighten up its infield.
Donovan, 29, might be the most balanced option. He won a Gold Glove in 2022, has experience all over the diamond, and gets on base consistently.
He might also be the most attainable target, thanks to the recent trade history between Boston and St. Louis.
No matter which direction the Red Sox go, any deal is likely to draw from their surplus of starting pitchers and outfielders. It’s a good problem to have - too much talent in one area, and a clear need in another. But if Boston wants to maximize the value of its ground-ball-heavy rotation, they’ll need to back it up with gloves that can finish the job.
The pitching is there. The outfield defense is elite.
Now it’s about finding the right infield piece to complete the puzzle. With Spring Training on the horizon, the clock’s ticking - and the Red Sox know exactly what they’re looking for.