Here’s a bold statement: Even with one of the most dominant starting rotations in Major League Baseball, the Boston Red Sox could still find themselves struggling to keep runs off the board. But here’s where it gets controversial—it’s not just about the pitchers. Despite stellar performances from Garrett Crochet (2.59 ERA in 2025), Ranger Suárez (3.20), Sonny Gray (4.28), and Brayan Bello (3.35), there’s a shared weakness that’s raising eyebrows: they rely heavily on ground ball outs. While this isn’t inherently bad—after all, ground balls are often better than line drives or fly balls—it puts immense pressure on the infield defense to convert those opportunities into outs. And this is the part most people miss: the Red Sox infield has been a weak link for seasons, leading the league in errors last year.
Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow didn’t mince words when addressing this issue on Wednesday. As he pointed out on NESN, ‘We tend to get caught up in the pitching portion of run prevention, but defense is equally critical. It’s really important that we improve our infield defense. While I’d argue we have the best defensive outfield in baseball, our infield has been a liability. We’ve taken internal steps to address this, but any roster moves will prioritize defensive skillsets.’
So, what does this mean for Boston’s offseason strategy? Here’s where it gets even more intriguing—names like Nico Hoerner, Isaac Paredes, and Brendan Donovan have been linked to the organization, each offering a unique blend of skills to shore up the second or third base position. Hoerner, a two-time Gold Glove winner (2023, 2025), is arguably the best defensive option, though prying him from the Cubs might be tricky. Paredes, on the other hand, brings a powerful bat (.245/.348/.420 slash line) but falls short defensively, which could be a deal-breaker for a team prioritizing defense. Donovan, a Gold Glove winner in 2022, offers a defense-first profile and might be the easiest to acquire given Boston’s recent ties with the Cardinals.
But here’s the real question: Will Breslow actually pull the trigger on a trade, potentially dipping into the Red Sox’s surplus of starting pitching or outfielders to make it happen? It’s a move that could reshape the team’s defensive identity, but it’s also a gamble. What do you think—is prioritizing infield defense the right move for Boston, or should they focus on other areas? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
