The Red Sox are banking on a playoff push in 2025, despite finishing .500 last season and missing the postseason for the second straight year. Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow isn’t just optimistic – he’s planning for it.
“We’re focused on winning as many games in 2025 as we can,” Breslow said Tuesday. “We have a team that’s capable of making the playoffs, and my hope is that as we approach the trade deadline, we’re going to be in a position to add.”
That’s a bold stance for a team that finished five games out of the final Wild Card spot with an 81-81 record. The Sox have been busy reshaping their roster, though, particularly on the pitching side.
The rotation got a significant boost with the additions of Walker Buehler, Patrick Sandoval, and Garrett Crochet. It’s a clear upgrade over last year’s group, but questions remain about the lineup and bullpen depth after several departures.
Gone are Tyler O’Neill, Kenley Jansen, Danny Jansen, and Chris Martin, among others. The team’s added Aroldis Chapman to the pen and brought in catchers Blake Sabol and Carlos Narvaez, though neither has extensive MLB experience.
The way forward seems to hinge on young talent stepping up. Boston’s farm system will need to deliver if they’re serious about contending – something that’s far from guaranteed.
Could this mix push for 86 wins and a playoff spot? Maybe. But after an offseason where the team fell short of fan expectations, Breslow’s confidence might not be enough to win over a skeptical fanbase that’s seen three last-place finishes in the past four years.
The rotation improvements are real. What’s less clear is whether that’s enough in a division where every team has legitimate playoff aspirations.
