The Boston Red Sox took action to greatly improve their starting rotation this winter.
They added Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler while Boston ensured the ballclub would have ample depth for the 2025 seasons to depend on. While there’s still work to do, the Red Sox are a better team as a result.
MLB Network’s Matt Vasgersian and Al Leiter each commended Boston for making proper starting pitching additions and left the door open to more moves in the Red Sox lineup on “Hot Stove” Thursday morning.
“I claimed early in the postseason that the Red Sox this winter would hold the key to the entire division, if not the entire league,” Vasgersian said. “Depending how active they are and how much money they want to spend, they could be the team that really grabs the headlines. They’ve already done that with the Garrett Crochet, for sure.”
Leiter saw the 2024 Red Sox as a “surprise” as the rotation and young core showed flashes in another playoff absence. Leiter raved about the one-year deal for Walker Buehler that raises the ceiling of the rotation.
“This rotation of what Breslow’s built out, I like it,” Leiter said.
Vasgersian went further to say he believes the Red Sox have jumped the Baltimore Orioles on paper in the American League East while Leiter thought Baltimore still holds a slight edge. That question will go to the test in a competitive season for the division.
