Why Boston’s pitching depth now looks like a strength, not a safety net
The Red Sox didn’t seek comfort this winter. They chose conviction. And after weeks of uncertainty, that conviction sharpened.
Losing Alex Bregman to the Cubs was a gut punch, not just because of who he is, but because of what it represented:
Boston stayed disciplined by sticking to long-term plans, while Chicago prioritized immediate certainty. The Red Sox endured criticism, resisted reactive moves, and shifted toward a roster more closely aligned with Craig Breslow's vision.
That pivot became clear with the signing of Ranger Suarez.
The five-year, $130 million deal didn’t replace Bregman’s bat or keep another star. Instead, it cemented an identity. Boston isn’t building around one player - it’s creating a foundation to absorb volatility, withstand injuries, and control games from the mound.
With Suarez added, the Red Sox suddenly boast one of the deepest rotations in baseball.
My Five-Man Rotation for the 2026 Boston Red Sox:
1. Garrett Crochet
This is the ace. Full stop.
Crochet continues to give Boston a legitimate top-of-the-rotation arm capable of matching up with anyone in the American League.
Power, poise, and Cy Young-level upside anchor the staff.
May 26, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet (35) during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. (Jeff Hanisch/Imagn Images)2. Ranger Suarez
Suarez fits seamlessly behind Crochet.
The left-hander brings postseason experience, durability, and the ability to neutralize elite lineups without overpowering stuff. He’s the stabilizer this rotation lacked.
Sep 27, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ranger Suarez (55) throws a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning at Citizens Bank Park. (Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)3. Sonny Gray
Gray may no longer be the flashiest name, but his consistency matters.
In this spot, he doesn’t need to carry the rotation - just control games and keep Boston in them. Adding Suarez increased Gray’s value tremendously.
Sep 13, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) throws against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field. (Benny Sieu/Imagn Images)4. Brayan Bello
Bello’s development remains a critical variable.
Slotting him fourth eases pressure and allows growth without asking him to be something he’s not yet. The upside remains significant.
Oct 1, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Brayan Bello (66) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning of game two of the Wildcard round of the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)5. Johan Oviedo
Oviedo rounds out the group as a high-variance arm with the stuff to turn lineups over. In this role, he becomes a luxury rather than a necessity.
Sep 23, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Johan Oviedo (24) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. (Katie Stratman/Imagn Images)That rotation, at least on paper, looks playoff-caliber. However, what truly elevates Boston above most of the league sits just beyond the starting five.
Kutter Crawford, Kyle Harrison, and Patrick Sandoval are all major-league-capable starters who would crack rotations elsewhere. Payton Tolle and Connelly Early add developmental upside without being rushed. This depth allows the Red Sox to manage workloads and weather injuries without the scrambling of past years.
It’s also the clearest reflection yet of Breslow’s philosophy - he prioritizes flexibility over flash, and structure over reaction. Specifically, the discipline that cost Boston Bregman also allowed them to assemble two functional rotations rather than relying on a single fragile one.
There’s still work to be done. The infield remains thin. The offense needs attention. Losing Bregman still stings - and it should.
With Suarez, the Red Sox built more than a story. They built a foundation.
And for the first time in years, it feels intentional.
Sep 24, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez (75) and relief pitcher Payton Tolle (70) celebrate a win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. (Dan Hamilton/Imagn Images)JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.