The Boston Red Sox have made quite a few moves this offseason, but none of them have been earth-shaking.
Their biggest move was trading for Garrett Crochet, who is a great acquisition, but they haven't been willing to swim in the deep end of the free agent pool, missing out on Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, among others. Although they've definitely upgraded their pitching, it doesn't seem like this team is a legitimate contender yet, especially in the crowded AL East.
However, MLB Network recently had a rosier outlook for the Red Sox. While praising the new rotation after the additions of Crochet and Walker Buehler, the analysts also pointed out Aroldis Chapman's addition and Liam Hendriks' return, compared center fielder Jarren Duran to Royals' shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., and showed a stat comparison between Alex Bregman and Dustin Pedroia on the assumption that Bregman would play second if he came to Boston.
There's a few things to unpack here, but let's start with the most obvious, which is that the odds of Bregman coming to Boston are slim. With Bregman already having a six year, $156 million offer from the Astros and the Red Sox expressing a desire to keep any contract to four years or fewer, it seems highly unlikely that he'll be in Boston come Opening Day.
MLB Network analysts were a lot more optimistic about Red Sox's 2025 than fans should be
There's a lot to like in Boston heading into 2025...#MLBNHotStove takes a look at the Red Sox offseason moves and how they line up heading into the new year. pic.twitter.com/kJzwVOkoGj
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 28, 2025
Then there's the faith in Chapman and Hendriks. Both have had tremendous careers, but both are in their mid-30s. Chapman was good last year, but he's no longer the shutdown closer he once was, and Hendriks has pitched in just five games since 2022. Both of those guys can certainly be good, but it would seem that they're past their primes, and they're both injury risks.
And finally, as great as Duran was last year and as hopeful Red Sox fans are about his future, he is not Witt. He did rival Witt's defense and speed last year, but his .834 OPS last year pales in comparison to Witt's .977, and he also struck out far more while making poorer contact.
That being said, although MLB Network may be overestimating this roster, there is indeed a lot to like about the team. What the analysts also mentioned was the big three Sox prospects — Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer — and their potential to contribute this year. Even without the new talent, their offense was already good last year and they've done well to add pitching depth, so it's far from crazy to think this team could make the playoffs.
It still might be a little too crazy to compare Jarren Duran to Bobby Witt, though.