Although the 2025 Boston Red Sox finally managed to clinch a postseason spot for the first time since 2021, the season still ended for Boston after a Wild Card Series loss.
While Craig Breslow has no shortage of detractors, he made many moves to build a successful ball club last season. Bringing in Aroldis Chapman, Carlos Narváez, Alex Bregman and Garrett Crochet were all extremely successful additions that helped bring the team to the postseason.
Whoever made Breslow watch Moneyball this offseason bestowed the franchise with a blessing and a curse. Breslow has been wheeling and dealing, but there is a clear shift in his team-building strategy.
The 2025 edition of the team had one clear issue that even a majority of the fans could see. After the awkward and sudden fallout with Rafael Devers in June, the Red Sox lost a true slugger to fill out their lineup. Between Boston and San Francisco, Devers combined for 35 deep shots last season.
The Red Sox have a clear lack of a cleanup hitter as Trevor Story and Wilyer Abreu led the Red Sox last season in home runs with 25 and 22, respectively. With Bregman now gone, Breslow had over 50 home runs to replace, and a lineup without significant pop.
Craig Breslow set the 2026 Red Sox up to play small ball — and his plan just might work
Many All-Star-caliber infielders were linked to Boston this offseason. Some free agents mentioned were Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso. Isaac Paredes and Nico Hoerner were seen as possible trade candidates as well.
However, after several trades this winter, it’s clear Breslow made the active decision to replace Bregman — in the aggregate.
Breslow is not replacing the slugging that Bregman and Devers brought, but rather diverting away from it and establishing a defense and pitching-focused small ball strategy. The new-look rotation is set to be highly competitive with Ranger Suárez, Johan Oviedo and Sonny Gray joining an already stacked pitching staff.
The 2025 rotation shouldered a 3.70 ERA, which was good for top five in the league. Regardless, Breslow brought in three new names, even with promising rookies Connelly Early and Payton Tolle now pushed to the periphery.
Alex Cora seems locked in with the plan as well: “I think there are gonna be a lot of games we can win scoring three or four runs with the pitching we have,” Cora told MassLive.
The Red Sox managed 89 wins while averaging 4.8 runs per game last season, so Cora predicts huge improvements from the rotation and defense. After a season leading the league with 116 errors, it’s clear that the moves being made will bolster the defense and clean up mistakes from the mound.
For the infield, Breslow signed utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa and traded for first baseman Willson Contreras to fill their gaps. Most recently, third baseman Caleb Durbin was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers.
The #RedSox today acquired INFs Caleb Durbin and Andruw Monasterio, INF/C Anthony Seigler, and a selection in Competitive Balance Round B of the 2026 First-Year Player Draft from the Milwaukee Brewers, in exchange for LHPs Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan and INF David Hamilton. pic.twitter.com/ler0mqp9ok
— Red Sox (@RedSox) February 9, 2026
Durbin had an excellent rookie campaign with the Brewers last season and brings everything Breslow wants his new-look Sox to include. Durbin not only led the National League in getting hit by 24 pitches, but Breslow’s other main acquisition, Contreras, was second with 23.
Durbin profiles as a smart hitter with just a 9.9% strikeout rate and a .334 OBP. Durbin’s value also lies in his defense, where he will likely slot in at third while Mayer moves to second. Durbin is a perfect player for the 2026 Sox because he gets on base.
Every move Breslow made aligns with his vision of good defense and high-level pitching. Although the power may be sapped, expect a small-ball Sox squad to remain competitive in 2026.