ESPN Assigns ‘Final Offseason Grade’ For 2025 Red Sox

The Red Sox needed to put together an impactful offseason if they wanted to turn the tides and start contending in the American League.

Boston did exactly that, and its series of promising moves was recognized in ESPN’s list of final offseason grades for all 30 MLB teams. The Red Sox were one of two teams to receive an “A” from the Worldwide Leader, and only the Los Angeles Dodgers (A+) received a better mark than Alex Cora’s club.

“The Red Sox get bumped up from a B- in our previous mid-offseason edition after signing (Alex) Bregman in mid-February, even if that’s creating some positional awkwardness as Rafael Devers said he doesn’t want to move from third base to a DH role,” David Schoenfield wrote in a column published Tuesday. “Bregman, to his credit, said ‘I’ll play wherever.’ The former college shortstop should be able to handle a transition to second base — except moving from third to second is an extremely rare positional change and it would also block Kristian Campbell, ESPN’s No. 26 overall prospect. But Campbell has also played some outfield and might not be a lock to remain at second base anyway. Plus, he probably needs a little more time in the minors.

“All that said, having too many good players is a good problem to have and Alex Cora should be able to manage the Devers situation. Bottom line: The Red Sox added two stars, and if (Walker) Buehler can find his old form, they have a chance to contend for an American League East title they haven’t won since 2018.”

How splashy was Boston’s offseason? Despite the Red Sox only making the playoffs once in the last six years, only three teams have shorter odds than Boston at FanDuel Sportsbook to win the Junior Circut in 2025. The Red Sox also are a respectable 20-1 to win the whole thing this October.

Of course, MLB games aren’t won on paper. So after making multiple key additions over the offseason, the onus now is on Boston to maximize that talent.