From Alex Cora to Craig Breslow to Sam Kennedy, the Boston Crimson Sox spoke with conviction on the conclusion of the 2024 season.
Three years of lacking the postseason was lengthy sufficient. Followers had been via sufficient. The Crimson Sox wanted to behave decisively. Not simply to place collectively a staff that would sneak into the playoffs, however one that would win the American League East crown and spark a deep run in October.
What did the Crimson Sox want to do this?
They wanted to search out an ace to steer the rotation, discover pitchers with higher stuff within the bullpen and add an affect right-handed bat to steadiness and enhance the lineup.
The Crimson Sox addressed that first space with a daring commerce to get Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox. Additionally they signed a confirmed winner in Walker Buehler to a one-year deal. These enhancements solidified a beginning rotation that now has the next ceiling and loads of depth.
Story continues under commercial
Within the bullpen, Liam Hendriks is wholesome and able to pitch late in video games. Aroldis Chapman nonetheless throws flames and is the bodily construct Cora pleaded for final season. Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock have actual stuff and each return to the bullpen. They might use yet one more arm, however there’s extra expertise amongst this season’s relievers.
These strikes ought to push a staff that completed 81-81 in 2024 to the brink of probably incomes a playoff spot. They have been probably simply barely at that time. Then on Wednesday night time, the Crimson Sox reportedly made a transfer to leap ahead within the potential division for 2025 season.
The reported three-year settlement with infielder Alex Bregman considerably raises the ceiling of this staff. His postseason pedigree, management and manufacturing at Fenway Park converse for itself.
Now, the Crimson Sox are usually not simply on the point of the postseason. They’re a licensed contender.
Story continues under commercial
World Collection contenders? Let’s pump the brakes.
Nonetheless, let’s even be trustworthy: The American League shouldn’t be invincible.
The Yankees marched to a World Collection look in 2024 earlier than they fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 5 video games. The opposite groups within the playoff subject weren’t precisely intimidating.
The Crimson Sox nonetheless have lots to show in a aggressive AL East which will simply be the second-best division in baseball behind the Nationwide League West.
Story continues under commercial
It’s been just a few years the place the thought of the Crimson Sox coming into the season as division favourite was a real actuality. It’s actual with Bregman reportedly on his option to Boston.
