The Boston Red Sox should be better in 2025 after legitimate improvements in starting pitching this offseason. However, how much better remains to be seen.
ESPN’s Buster Olney has an optimistic look at Boston’s 2025 chances. He ranked them as the second-most improved team this offseason. The Red Sox only trail the Cincinnati Reds, who made multiple moves and hired former Boston manager Terry Francona, on Olney’s list.
“… This has been a strong winter for the Red Sox, who finished 81-81 last year,” Olney wrote. “Boston won the Garrett Crochet sweepstakes, making a deal with the Chicago White Sox for the power lefty, and then signed free agent Walker Buehler. Those additions thickened Boston’s rotation, which also includes Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford. Garrett Whitlock is moving back to the bullpen.”
The Red Sox and Reds play at Fenway Park from June 30 to July 2 for an interleague series. Both teams should see improvements after intentional upgrades to their respective rosters. Cincinnati last made the postseason in 2020 while Boston hasn’t returned since an appearance in the 2021 American League Championship Series.
Boston could still use a right-handed bat and a reliever, so the Red Sox can still alter the identity of their offseason with spring training right around the corner.
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Featured image via Paul Rutherford/Imagn Images
