Red Sox Seem To Be Thinking About Using Rare Strategy In 2025

The Boston Red Sox have real starting rotation talent and depth for the first time in years for the 2025 season.

Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler join foundational arms in Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford. Lucas Giolito and Patrick Sandoval each return from injuries at different points, while Hunter Dobbins, Quinn Priester and Richard Fitts are capable spot start candidates.

There’s depth to bring ease to Boston, though an extra precautionary measure may just be on the table for the Red Sox with a six-man rotation.

“Philosophically, I am so supportive of anything we can do to keep our best players on the field performing at a really high level,” Breslow told reporters virtually Monday. “This potentially could be one of them. It necessitates particular construction of bullpen as well. We need to have relievers who are capable of throwing multiple innings. I think we have that when you think about guys like (Josh) Winckowski and (Garrett) Whitlock who (have) done this in the past.”

Breslow put Cooper Criswell in that conversation as well. While some Red Sox pitchers prefer a more traditional setup for the rotation, the option on the table could benefit the staff in the second half, where Boston’s struggled for three years running.

“I do think that we’re well positioned to implement a six-man rotation if that’s the direction that we want to go,” Breslow added.