Red Sox Roster Overhaul Leaves Pitching Depth, Hitting Questions

Boston's offseason moves have transformed the team, but the 2026 squad may struggle to score runs.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 8:19pm by Ben Kaplan

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The Boston Red Sox have undergone a significant roster overhaul in the offseason, trading away stars like Rafael Devers and failing to sign top free agents like Alex Bregman. The team's new focus is on building a deep and talented pitching staff, led by 2025 AL Cy Young runner-up Garrett Crochet and free agent addition Ranger Suárez. However, this pitching-first approach has come at the expense of the team's offense, with projections showing the 2026 Red Sox may be the first Boston squad since 1974 without a 20-home run hitter. The pressure is now on young sluggers like Wilyer Abreu and Roman Anthony to provide the necessary power to support the team's strong pitching.

Why it matters

The Red Sox's shift towards prioritizing pitching over offense represents a major strategic change for the franchise, which has traditionally relied on a potent lineup to carry the team. This new approach raises questions about whether the team can score enough runs to be competitive, especially in the high-powered AL East. The lack of veteran leadership from past World Series champions also creates uncertainty about how the young, unproven roster will handle the pressure of the postseason.

The details

Under new chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, the Red Sox have transformed their pitching staff, acquiring Suárez and trading for Caleb Durbin from the Brewers. FanGraphs projects the Red Sox will have the least powerful offense in over 50 years, potentially becoming the first Boston team since 1974 without a 20-home run hitter. Breslow has acknowledged the team's struggles to add offensive firepower this offseason after failing to land Bregman and Pete Alonso.

  • The Red Sox traded Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants during the 2025 season.
  • The Red Sox signed free agent pitcher Ranger Suárez in January 2026.

The players

Garrett Crochet

The 2025 AL Cy Young runner-up and MLB strikeouts leader, Crochet anchors the Red Sox's revamped pitching staff.

Ranger Suárez

The free agent addition owns the fifth-best ERA in postseason history (minimum 40 innings).

Wilyer Abreu

A young slugger the Red Sox are counting on to provide power in their lineup.

Roman Anthony

Another young power hitter the Red Sox hope can help offset their projected offensive struggles.

Craig Breslow

The Red Sox's chief baseball officer, who has overseen the team's pitching-focused offseason.

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What they’re saying

“The identity of our team, the strength of our team, is going to be our pitching.”

— Craig Breslow, Chief Baseball Officer

“I can't do anything if we don't score runs. I can only pitch, do whatever possible to keep my team in the game. From there on, it's up to them.”

— Pedro Martinez

What’s next

The Red Sox will need to see strong offensive production from their young sluggers like Abreu and Anthony to complement their deep pitching staff. The team's ability to overcome the loss of veteran leadership from past World Series champions will also be a key factor in their success.

The takeaway

The 2026 Red Sox represent a significant strategic shift for the franchise, prioritizing pitching depth over offensive firepower. While this approach has transformed their roster, it also raises questions about whether the team can score enough runs to be competitive in the AL East. The pressure is on the Red Sox's young core to step up and prove they can lead the team to success without the veteran presence of past champions.