2026 Boston Red Sox Predictions: Trades, Roman Anthony Breakout, No-Hitter

This blog post dives into some bold, maybe even reckless, predictions about the 2026 Boston Red Sox. We’ll poke at how roster moves, possible signings, player growth, and front-office choices might shake up the franchise’s near future.

Looking at league trends and Red Sox history, it’s a shot in the dark at what could happen before Opening Day. Could Boston actually make a run in the American League East?

Roster Construction and an Outfield Logjam

The Red Sox head into the 2026 offseason in a weird spot. They’ve been aggressive with trades but pretty quiet when it comes to major-league free agents.

Boston already picked up Willson Contreras, Sonny Gray, and Johan Oviedo. That screams “win now,” even without a huge free agent splash.

One of the biggest headaches might be the outfield. If they don’t swing a trade, Alex Cora could show up to spring training with four starting-caliber outfielders.

That means someone’s always sitting, and Cora gets the joy of figuring out who rides the pine.

Too Many Outfielders, Not Enough At-Bats

Boston’s projected outfield—Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Roman Anthony, and Ceddanne Rafaela—is both a blessing and a curse. There are only three spots, and the DH slot’s crowded too, so someone’s always the odd man out.

• Duran brings speed and energy.
• Abreu shows promise and a little more pop every year.
• Anthony looks like a future franchise guy.
• Rafaela’s glove and versatility are hard to leave out.

Chasing a Middle-of-the-Order Bat

Even with new faces, most folks around baseball expect Boston to add a big bat before Opening Day. The front office doesn’t seem finished.

Bregman or Bichette as Ideal Fits

Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette keep popping up as dream targets if their teams decide to move them. Either one would lock down the infield and give the lineup a much-needed punch.

If Marcelo Mayer stays healthy, he’s got a real shot to break camp with the big club. That’d be a huge moment for the Sox, honestly.

Prospects: Pitching Over Bats

This year, don’t expect a flood of new position players. The next wave probably comes from the mound.

Young Arms on the Way

Guys like Jake Bennett and David Sandlin are getting buzz inside the org as possible midseason call-ups. Connelly Early or Payton Tolle could start in Triple-A, giving them some depth to play with.

Kutter Crawford looks ready to bounce back from injuries and might finally eat up 120 innings or more. That’d be a real boost for the rotation.

Breakouts, Trades, and Tough Calls

Turnover is just part of Red Sox life these days, and 2026 won’t change that.

Abreu’s Rise and Yoshida’s Uncertain Future

Wilyer Abreu feels like a true breakout candidate—maybe even an All-Star if he stays on the field. Meanwhile, Masataka Yoshida could be traded or just gone before Opening Day, depending on what the roster needs.

There’s more and more chatter that Brayan Bello might get moved if Boston decides to chase upgrades elsewhere.

Bullpen Concerns and Front Office Moves

The bullpen’s a worry for 2026. Boston will probably sign a veteran reliever, but don’t expect a big name right away.

Chapman and Organizational Shifts

Aroldis Chapman might not repeat his 2025 magic, and the rest of the relief corps looks shaky. Off the field, the Sox could bring in a seasoned executive to balance out their analytics-heavy front office. Not a bad idea, right?

A Big-Picture Outlook for 2026

Boston will probably keep offering early extensions to their young players. There’s also a good chance they’ll retire a franchise icon’s number soon.

Rumor has it, the city might land a future All-Star Game, maybe as soon as 2029. That’d be a big deal for fans and the city alike.

The Red Sox look poised to win 90-plus games in 2026. They should contend for the AL East crown and push past the Wild Card round.

 
Here is the source article for this story: 26 Red Sox predictions for 2026, including big trades, a Roman Anthony breakout and a no-hitter?