The 2025 MLB season offered Red Sox fans partial redemption but was plagued with internecine conflict, key injuries at the wrong time of the season and a patched-up starting rotation.
After four years of incremental rebuilds and accusations that the big market Red Sox had slipped into mid-market mediocrity, the BoSox finished last season with a 89-73 record, good enough for third place in the AL East and a playoff berth. The most dramatic of seasons, even by Red Sox standards, ended under the harsh lights of Yankee Stadium, but positive seeds had been sown.
So, 2026 arrives with renewed hope and, in this spirit of feverish anticipation, here are my five reasons for optimism over the next 8 months.
1. The Empire Strikes Back (Roman Anthony)
I would hope that any fellow Red Sox fan would agree with me that the 21-year-old outfielder was our breakout star last season.
After making his debut against the Tampa Bay Rays in June, Anthony impressed with his hard contact and poise at the plate.
An eight-year, $130 million contract with major escalators was duly signed as the much-maligned front office recognised the talent in their midst.
In August, Anthony was named Rookie of the Month, posting .304 with six homers, 13 RBI, four doubles, 15 walks, 21 runs scored, two stolen bases, a .520 slugging percentage and a .390 on-base percentage across 26 games.
However, in a cruel twist of fate, Anthony’s season was ended prematurely in September due to an oblique strain, sidelining him throughout the playoffs and ending his chance of winning Rookie of the Year.
Despite this, Anthony finished the season with a WAR of 3.1, an OPS of .859 and an impressive OPS+ of 140. More of the same and further progression in 2026, please!
2. Gold Standard (Ceddanne Rafaela in centre field)
We all knew that Rafaela was one of the best outfielders in the American League. After all, he posted a .984 fielding percentage in 2024 and turned two double-plays, the most by any centre fielder in MLB.
However, in 2025, Ceddanne “Chipper” Rafaela cemented his place amongst elite outfielders in the game.
Not a week went by without yet another gravity-defying diving catch or fantastic assist by the Curacao-born Rafaela.
In May, he won MLB Play of the Week for a brilliant catch against the centre field wall at Fenway Park off the bat of Josh Jung.
He won the award again in September after robbing Corbin Carroll of a certain home run at Chase Field.
By the season’s end, Rafaela recorded a .985 fielding percentage playing centre field across 141 games, including an American League-best eight assists. His fielding exploits in 2025 were suitably rewarded with an outfielder Gold Glove and Fielding Bible Award.
3. Back End Business (Say Hello to Mr Chapman)
After a number of underwhelming seasons, 2025 was a coming-out party for the revamped Red Sox bullpen. The bullpen, anchored by veteran closer and 2025 All Star Aroldis Chapman (32 saves) was ranked second by ERA in 2025 posting 3.41, with a WHIP of 1.25 and 45 total saves, most which were finished off by a 100+ mph Chapman fastball!
Former starter Garrett Whitlock also excelled across 2025, ending the season with a 2.25 ERA and a WHIP of 1.083 over 72 innings pitched.
Further support by Greg Weissert (ERA 2.82/WHIP 1.164 and lefty Brennan Bernardino (ERA 3.17/WHIP 1.241) and a rolling cast of characters, including veterans Steven Matz and Liam Hendriks, gave the team an edge in close games.
In 2026, the Boston bullpen should remain strong and competitive, but with lefties Bernardino, Chris Murphy, Justin Wilson, and Steven Matz all traded away, the back end looks righty-heavy.
But with a 1-2 punch of Whitlock and Chapman, Red Sox fans should still have plenty to cheer about as games draw to a close in 2026.
4. He’s Done it Before, He Can Do it Again (Alex Cora)
It would be fair to say that Red Sox Manager and Puerto Rican hero Alex Cora is not everyone’s cup of tea.
His suspension for involvement in the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, uncovered in 2019, will, for many fans, taint his reputation.
But there is no doubt that he is still the popular “People’s Coach” in Beantown; winning it all in 2018, his first full season at the Fenway helm, certainly helped!
In fact, the Red Sox rehired Cora as manager after his suspension following the 2020 season, and he led the team to a surprising postseason run the following season.
However, since 2021, the team had struggled until last season when he galvanised a fractured squad back to the playoffs following the Devers fallout.
Cora also successfully managed the crop of up-and-coming young stars at Fenway in 2025, including starting pitchers Payton Tolle and Connelly Early.
Finally, Cora has 610 wins with a .538 win percentage across seven seasons with the Red Sox, with an even more impressive .643 win percentage in the playoffs. In terms of wins, this places him third in Red Sox history behind the legendary Joe Cronin (1,071 wins) and Tito Francona (744 wins).
He has won it once; he can win it again!
5. At Last…an Ace (Garrett Crochet)
As the curtain came down on the 2024 season, it was clear that the Red Sox were in need of a true starting ace; a pitcher who could lead from the front and remind fans of those halcyon days watching Pedro Martinez or Josh Beckett.
With a starting rotation of talented but injury-prone pitchers, the Red Sox finished the 2024 season with an 81-81 record despite significant offensive performances by Rafael Devers, Tyler O’Neill and breakout star Jarren Duran.
So it was with much relief for the Fenway faithful when the team acquired starter Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox in December for a number of prospects, including Catcher Kyle Teel.
As the 2025 season got underway in the Lone Star State, it was clear from his Opening Day win against the Texas Rangers that Crochet had the stuff to dominate in 2025.
This opinion was shared by the front office, which signed Crochet to a 6-year, $170 million contract extension as early as late March.
A second consecutive All-Star appearance and first career complete game shutout followed in July. Crochet finished the season with an 18 – 5 record and an impressive 2.59 ERA with 255 strikeouts.
And who could forget his first postseason start as he mowed down the Yankees in the Bronx, striking out 11 hitters during an almost 8-inning pitching masterclass.
Despite losing third baseman Alex Bregman to free agency, questions about the starting rotation and an over-reliance on young stars like Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer, 2026 could be the season Boston builds on 2025 and advances beyond the postseason wild-card game.
I know I’m biased, but a loud and frenetic postseason Fenway Park, reverberating to the sounds of “Dirty Water” and “Sweet Caroline” would feel….just perfect!
Featured image of Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony, and Anthony Seigler by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images
Article by Carl Taylor – check out his previous articles on Bat Flips & Nerds
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