The Boston Red Sox haven’t made the playoffs since 2021. Last season the Sox went 81-81 and finished the season ranked third in the American League East.
This offseason, Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow wanted to ensure the Red Sox escape mediocrity. He beefed up the pitching staff so the Sox could compete with the powerful lineups in Baltimore and the Bronx.
MLB has certainly taken notice, with MLB.com writer Anthony Castrovince placing the Red Sox at No.7 in the top 10 pitching staffs of 2025. Offseason acquisitions like Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler beef up the starting rotation and Aroldis Chapman out of the bullpen give the Red Sox star power trotting out to the mound.
By adding Crochet and Buehler the Red Sox added more than just big names but bona fide high-quality pitchers. Castrovince highlighted Crochet's potential to become one of the best pitchers in baseball.
MLB names Red Sox seventh-best pitching staff in the league thanks to big offseason moves
Walker Buehler strikes out 4 in his #SpringTraining debut with the Red Sox pic.twitter.com/SU8NCBCLjY
— MLB (@MLB) March 2, 2025
“Crochet has real potential to be the best pitcher in the AL,” Castrovince wrote. “He was in the 87th percentile or better last season in expected ERA, walk rate and strikeout rate. And in his first full season following Tommy John surgery.”
He also tabbed Buehler as a potential bounce-back candidate, especially after his playoff success with the Dodgers last season.
“I like Buehler’s chances of reminding us of the ace he can be. He learned a lot down the stretch last season about how to pitch without the benefit of a fastball that used to bully batters,” Castrovince wrote.
The greatest priority for the Red Sox's 2025 staff will be keeping them healthy. Brayan Bello, Giolito, and Kutter Crawford will begin the season on the injured list, and Boston announced Liam Hendriks joined them on Opening Day. The bullpen was mostly healthy throughout spring training, but the Red Sox have some veteran relievers they may need to be extra careful with to avoid injuries. Chapman and Hendriks are over 35 years old, and with pitching injuries on the rise, older arms give you pause.
All told, if the health of the pitching staff holds, it’s not hard to see why so many people are excited about the 2025 Red Sox. Just cross your fingers and hope the Sox can stay healthy.