The balance of power in the American League East is shifting, and it’s not coming from where you might expect. Toronto Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro just called the Boston Red Sox maybe the best-positioned franchise in Major League Baseball over the next five years—a pretty wild endorsement, especially given the rivalry between the two clubs.
His comments put a spotlight on Boston’s emerging core and aggressive offseason. The AL East is becoming a real gauntlet, and it’s getting harder to survive.
Mark Shapiro’s Bold Endorsement of the Red Sox
Shapiro made these remarks on MLB Network Radio, breaking down the long-term outlooks of various franchises. Instead of hyping his own Blue Jays, he pointed straight at Boston as the team built to thrive in the coming half-decade.
He thinks the Red Sox have a rare mix of high-end young talent and roster flexibility. In his view, those are absolutely essential for staying relevant in today’s game.
He even admitted it’s a “bold” take, but said he doesn’t see another club better set up for the long haul.
Why This Matters Coming from a Division Rival
Praise from an executive is one thing. Praise from a division rival? That’s a different animal.
Shapiro’s words carry extra weight because Toronto and Boston are locked in a yearly arms race in the AL East. For the Blue Jays’ top decision-maker to single out the Red Sox as MLB’s standard for the future really says something about how seriously the rest of the division is taking Boston’s rise.
Boston’s Emerging Core: The Foundation of a Contender
The heart of Shapiro’s argument is Boston’s young core. The Red Sox have been quietly stacking talent, and that pipeline is finally bubbling up to the big leagues.
He highlighted a few names that are pretty much synonymous with Boston’s future:
These players make up the nucleus of what Boston hopes will be a long run of contention. They give the team both controllable talent and the flexibility to build smartly around them.
Garrett Crochet: The Future Ace of the Staff
On the pitching side, Shapiro pointed to Garrett Crochet as the arm that could headline the Red Sox rotation for years. The left-hander is seen inside the organization as their future ace—an impact starter with the stuff and poise to lead in October.
Building around a true No. 1 starter is one of the hardest things in today’s game. If Crochet reaches his ceiling and stays healthy, Boston’s outlook gets even scarier.
Offseason Aggression: Gray and Oviedo Add Proven Arms
Shapiro also pointed out Boston’s active offseason as proof the front office isn’t just waiting on prospects. The Red Sox moved decisively to supplement their emerging core with established pitching.
Two big additions stand out:
By blending proven veterans with young players on the rise, Boston is trying to compete now without closing its long-term window. That’s a tricky balance, and it’s one Shapiro clearly respects.
Roster Flexibility: The Hidden Advantage
Shapiro stressed the importance of roster flexibility. With prospects coming and manageable financial commitments, the Red Sox can pivot quickly—whether it’s trades, extensions, or jumping into the next free-agent frenzy.
In a league where injuries, slumps, and surprise breakouts can flip the script overnight, that adaptability is a huge edge.
AL East Arms Race: Everyone Is Getting Better
Shapiro’s praise of Boston came with a broader warning—the AL East, already baseball’s toughest division, is only getting more brutal. He pointed to improvement across the board, making it clear that winning the division will be more difficult than ever.
The Orioles, in his view, are another major threat. Shapiro noted Baltimore’s continued rise and their latest additions:
Yankees and Rays Still Lurking
On top of Boston’s surge and Baltimore’s ascent, Shapiro expects both the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays to improve as well. The Yankees keep rolling with star power and serious financial muscle.
The Rays? They’re still one of the sport’s most efficient organizations, squeezing value from every roster spot. It’s honestly impressive how they do it year after year.
For Shapiro and the Blue Jays, the message is hard to miss: the AL East is turning into a five-team gauntlet. And if you ask him, the Red Sox might be the best equipped to handle it over the next five years.
Here is the source article for this story: Blue Jays CEO Shares Bold Take On Red Sox’s Future
Experience Baseball History in Person
Want to walk the same grounds where baseball legends made history? Find accommodations near iconic ballparks across America and create your own baseball pilgrimage.
Check availability at hotels near: Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium
Plan your ballpark visit: Get MLB Ballpark Tickets and find accommodations nearby.
- Biographies
- Stadium Guides
- Current Baseball Players
- Current Players by Team
- Players that Retired in the 2020s
- Players that Retired in the 2010s
- Players that Retired in the 2000s
- Players that Retired in the 1990s
- Players that Retired in the 1980s
- Players that Retired in the 1970s
- Players that Retired in the 1960s
- Players that Retired in the 1950s
- Players that Retired in the 1940s
- Players that Retired in the 1930s