Lefty Garrett Crochet changed his Sox in a winter swap that sent him from Chicago to Boston. (Photo … [+]
After finishing last three times in the last five seasons, the Boston Red Sox bolstered their ballclub during the off-season.
They signed third baseman Alex Bregman, the last major free agent to find a new home, and pitchers Walker Buehler, a starter, and Aroldis Chapman, a reliever. They also traded for Garrett Crochet, one of the most coveted arms on the market this winter.
Pitching – or lack of it – precluded the Bosox from contending for the 2024 American League East title.
Their best returning starters were Brayan Bello, whose 14-8 record was accompanied by a bloated 4.49 earned run average, and Tanner Houck, who went 9-10 despite a tidy 3.12 mark.
Solid Starting Rotation
Should Crochet and Buehler repeat or better last year’s numbers, and should injured starter Lucas Giolito prove healthy again after elbow surgery, the Sox should have a strong starting rotation.
The bullpen could be just as powerful, with Chapman and comeback candidate Liam Hendriks forming a strong left-right tandem in the late innings.
Crochet, who made a strong start against Tampa Bay at jetBlue Park in Fort Myers Wednesday, averaged 12.88 strikeouts per nine innings last year but stuck in Chicago, where his White Sox lost a record 121 games. The Sox got him for four players after a protracted bidding war.
They also added Buehler, who pitched well enough in postseason play for the Los Angeles Dodgers that he earned his second World Series ring.
He concluded last season with 13 scoreless innings, including the ninth inning of the decisive Game 5 of the World Series against the Yankees.
Walker Buehler won two World Series rings with the Dodgers but will try to win for an American … [+]
In addition to Buehler, Crochet, and Chapman, the Sox added lefties Matt Moore, Justin Wilson, and Patrick Sandoval plus right-hander Adam Ottavino but lost veteran closer Kenley Jansen, a righty who signed with the Los Angeles Angels.
Oldest Sox Player
Chapman is now the senior man on the Red Sox in terms of service time, with 14.009 years, followed by Ottavino, Wilson, Moore, and Hendriks.
Chapman also has more All-Star selections (7) on his resume than any other Red Sox player.
Much depends upon Crochet, a 2024 All-Star who fanned a career-best 209 hitters last year, when he recorded a 3.58 ERA in his first season as a starter.
The 2025 rotation figures to feature Crochet, Buehler, Bello, Houck, and Giolito – assuming he’s healthy. Kutter Crawford, who pitched better than his 9-16 record would indicate, would be the first man up if any of the front five falters.
It’s a vast improvement over last year as the Sox try to scramble back into the playoff picture for just the second time since 2019.
Red Sox history is rich with success: nine world championships, 14 American League pennants, 10 AL East Division titles, and four 100-win seasons. But Boston plays in a tough neighborhood, with any of five teams possible title contenders for 2025.
In addition to the pitching upgrades, a bountiful farm system is producing a plethora of prospects; Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, and Marcelo Mayer rank at the head of the class.
Alex Cora, in his seventh season as manager, has led the Sox to a .536 winning percentage (521-451) and is signed through 2027. In addition to selecting his starting rotation, Cora’s biggest problem will be deciding where to play Bergman, who signed a three-year, $120 million pact in February.
A Gold Glove third baseman in Houston, Bergman has offered to shift to second so that incumbent Rafael Devers can stay put. Should Cora, a former infielder himself, decide his best defense dictates deployment of Bergman at third, Devers would shift across the infield to first base or serve as designated hitter for the ballclub.
With world championships in 2004, 2007, 2013, and 2018, Boston has more titles over the last two decades than any other team. It also has a history of jumping from worst to first, as its fans hope will happen again this summer.
The Red Sox are not shy about paying their players. According to Roster Resource, Boston’s $210 million projected payroll ranks ninth among the 30 teams.
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