The 2025 Red Sox have stumbled through a turbulent but ultimately disappointing first half of the season. After making splashy offseason moves and calling up a trio of promising rookies, Boston looked primed for a comeback in one of the weakest American Leagues in recent memory.
The Sox are well on their way to a winning record before the All-Star break after two sweeps and a series win over the Rays, but fans are pointing fingers over the rough start. Here are some first-half grades that may help explain Boston's underwhelming start.
3 brutally honest midseason grades for the Red Sox
Craig Breslow
Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow is featured in every storyline surrounding the team this season. Similar to how Chaim Bloom was scapegoated for the Mookie Betts trade, Breslow and the Red Sox will be haunted by the Devers deal.
It may be too early to say whether the Red Sox truly lost the trade, but it appears Breslow was the driving force in the front office clash with Devers that led to moving the star slugger rather than negotiating a solution.
Another hallmark of Breslow’s tenure are his moves that have been overshadowed by the dysfunction. He acquired Garrett Crochet and Alex Bregman, both among the best players in the majors this season. However, the rotation remains a clear issue. He let Nick Pivetta walk, and now the right-hander is posting a 3.25 ERA for the Padres. In his place, Breslow brought in Walker Buehler, who has been a disaster with a 6.45 ERA.
The Red Sox are one reliable starter away from fielding a well-constructed team. The bullpen has been exceptional, all three rookies have reached the majors, and for the most part, Breslow has assembled a competitive roster. But the mishandling of Devers splintered clubhouse confidence and left a gaping hole in the lineup. Because of that, Breslow’s work to this point earns a C-.
Starting Rotation
Crochet deserves all the money John Henry gave him, and more. Without run support, Crochet has turned himself into a legitimate Cy Young contender,leading the league with 144 strikeouts and 115 innings pitched. He was brought in to spearhead a competitive rotation, but his counterparts have not delivered. Tanner Houck is posting a 12.79 ERA in Triple-A Worcester, Buehler is one of the worst starters in the majors, and an offseason injury has sidelined Kutter Crawford for the entire year.
Still, it hasn’t been all negative. Brayan Bello is quietly having the best season of his career as the No. 2 behind Crochet, and Lucas Giolito has bounced back after missing all of 2024. Rookies Richard Fitts and Hunter Dobbins have shown promise and offered hope at the back end of the rotation, until Dobbins' season-ending ACL injury.
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The Sox haven’t had three reliable starters, let alone five, who can get through a clean outing. It has taken a toll on both the team and the bullpen. The rotation is the first thing that must improve if this team wants a shot at October. Crochet prevents a straight F and pulls the group up to a still-failing grade of D, although Giolito and Bello's recent improvements are encouraging.
Alex Cora
Manager Alex Cora has come under increased scrutiny this season. Just seven years ago, in his debut as manager, he led a dominant 108-win team to a World Series title and looked like the manager of the future. Since then, Cora has finished above .500 twice, most recently in 2021.
Cora is not afraid to platoon the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball or sit a hot bat if it means he gets the lefty matchup he’s looking for.
Since Tito helped lift the curse in his first season at Fenway in 2004, the Red Sox have won three more titles but have also gone through four different managers. Not counting Cora’s suspended 2020 season, he is now midway through his seventh season as manager and has yet to replicate the success of 2018.
If the Red Sox want to make their first postseason run since 2021, Cora needs to be flawless. His work so far earns a B, but that grade won’t hold if wins don’t follow.