The 2024 MLB season is over a third of the way through, and it's too late for the Boston Red Sox to simply dismiss their struggles. Even chief baseball officer Craig Breslow can no longer deny that his team has failed to live up to the "lofty expectations" set for them after their offseason moves.
Garrett Crochet and Alex Bregman have lived up to their hype, but there are issues up and down Boston's roster. The Red Sox are phenomenally, incomprehensibly un-clutch — they rank in the top-10 in MLB in almost every offensive metric, but 14 blown saves and 174 strikeouts with runners in scoring position have led to a staggering 17 one-run losses.
Despite the depth of the Sox's issues, MLB insider Jeff Passan still sees promise in them. He explained that he thinks they'll still make the playoffs in an interview on the "Section 10" podcast.
"I look at the talent they have, and I'm not giving up on it. I look at Alex Cora and believe he's going to help turn things around," Passan said. "If they start winning and they can go out and get another arm at the deadline, I still see a potential playoff team here."
MLB insider Jeff Passan still believes the Red Sox are a playoff team despite early struggles
Did Jeff Passan just get me to believe in the Red Sox again? pic.twitter.com/nedb7gZjOu
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) June 6, 2025
Adding another arm at the deadline is key to Passan's vision for the Sox. He noted that the rotation (besides Garrett Crochet, of course) has been concerning, and he's correct that there are few reliable arms in Boston's staff. Its starters are lucky to get through five innings, and how any of them will perform on any given day is a complete toss-up.
But, as Passan says, the Red Sox still have talent on the offensive side. Before he was injured, Bregman got off to the best start of his career at the plate, and Rafael Devers has never looked better offensively. Jarren Duran has a history of breaking out in June and Carlos Narváez has been a surprise, all around.
The Red Sox have been in most of their 17 one-run losses until the end. If they added a bit more length to the middle of their lineup, where a severely slumping Trevor Story or Kristian Campbell often hit, they would have a much better record in those games. Boston has a few internal options it could test out, but the consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball immediately comes to mind.
The Red Sox can still be a playoff team, but they don't have much time to turn their issues around. Passan has highlighted a few clear needs in Boston, and if it hopes to finally return to the postseason after three straight misses, it should address them. The 2025 Red Sox have too much talent to let this year go to waste.