The Boston Red Sox had an early exit in the postseason after losing the Wild Card Series to the Yankees. But there were signs of improvement as youngsters like Roman Anthony stepped up with the help of veterans like Alex Bregman. But the one thing that was always a problem was the pitching. The Red Sox’s pitching always looked shaky, except for Garrett Crochet, and the bullpen was held by Aroldis Chapman. Fans expected GM Craig Breslow to show signs that he was going to improve the bullpen, but it looks like the fans are wrong.

In a recent interview, Craig Breslow said, “We’ll do over the course of the offseason is take a step back… recognize what type of potential pitching additions… move the needle for us… We do have what I would suggest is a strong group of pitching depth… we want to make sure that any additions that we make actually improve our team… I don’t think that’s the case right now.” But is what Breslow is saying really the case?

The Red Sox pitching staff showed flashes of excellence in 2025 but struggled with overall consistency, finishing with a 3.70 ERA. Over 162 games, the team allowed 596 earned runs while striking out 1,361 batters, highlighting moments of dominance yet frequent vulnerability. Even in the postseason, three pitchers combined for eight earned runs across 25 innings, showing the rotation occasionally faltered under pressure.

Emerging arms like Connelly Early and Payton Tolle offered hope for the future, but depth issues remain evident. Early struck out six Yankees in the Wild Card Series, and Tolle displayed swing-and-miss potential, yet the team cannot rely solely on these young arms. Garrett Whitlock shone in relief, posting a 0.34 ERA over 26 2/3 innings, but the need for consistent high-leverage relievers persists.

Attention is shifting to bringing back Alex Bregman, whose leadership and performance energized the team all season long. Bregman is expected to opt out, seeking a five-year-plus deal potentially exceeding $35 million annually, limiting resources for pitching additions. Fans witness the delicate balance between preserving leadership and addressing rotation gaps, hoping the Red Sox can strengthen without losing momentum.

If Craig Breslow believes depth alone solves pitching woes, Red Sox fans might disagree emphatically. Even with Connelly Early and Payton Tolle, relying solely on rookies cannot fix rotation inconsistencies. Until Alex Bregman signs a new deal, Boston risks focusing on star power over essential pitching improvements.

The Red Sox are looking to get Bregman back, but it won’t be easy

In Boston, the offseason already smells like money and headaches. The Red Sox are about to learn the hard way that keeping Alex Bregman won’t be as simple as sending him a contract and a heartfelt email. With agents like Scott Boras in play and a market full of suitors, the path to getting back their star third baseman is lined with tough choices, big numbers, and a touch of chaos.

Alex Bregman officially opted out of the final two years of his Red Sox contract on Tuesday. Fans watched as their star third baseman, who hit .273 with 18 home runs, entered free agency. The Red Sox now face pressure to match or exceed competitive offers to retain him.

Detroit Tigers, led by Bregman’s former Astros manager A.J. Hinch, remain the most obvious suitor. The Kansas City Royals have emerged as a potential spoiler, seeking extra offense despite Maikel Garcia’s strong 3B performance. The Red Sox, Tigers, and Royals set the stage for a bidding war filled with tension and high stakes.

Bregman’s decision leaves the Red Sox navigating a free-agent maze filled with big numbers. Detroit and Kansas City are ready to challenge Boston, turning negotiations into a high-stakes chess game. Fans in Boston can only watch and hope, as every offer could rewrite the offseason story.