How would a team made up entirely of former Red Sox look in 2026?

COMMENTARY

The Pink Sox have made loads of high-profile roster choices over the past seven years, from stunning trades to permitting notable gamers to hit free company and depart the staff.

Not all strikes have been unhealthy, and Boston has its fair proportion of notable acquisitions as nicely; its commerce for ace Garrett Crochet involves thoughts.

However because the Pink Sox proceed to battle in 2026, all of their entrance workplace blunders are much more obvious. “Part 10” and NESN persona Jared Carrabis identified earlier within the week that 5 former beginning pitchers for the Pink Sox have a mixed sub.-3.00 ERA this season.

Which received us pondering, simply how a lot greener might the grass have been on the opposite aspect of main entrance workplace choices? May a staff constructed solely of former Pink Sox gamers be extra aggressive than the present 2026 Pink Sox?

After all, there are some apparent caveats: all entrance workplace strikes construct on one another, so even when Boston needed to, retaining each single participant on this theoretical lineup can be primarily inconceivable.

Moreover, a number of the Pink Sox present belongings wouldn’t be on the staff if a few of these strikes hadn’t been made. Boston couldn’t have acquired Crochet, for instance, with out giving up a prime prospect in Kyle Teel.

With that being stated, right here’s what a staff of former Pink Sox would appear like in 2026:

Beginning lineup

• CF Mookie Betts (.171)
• 2B Alex Bregman (.246)
• DH Kyle Schwarber (.226)
• 3B Rafael Devers (.247)
• RF Tyler O’Neill (.177)
• 1B Dominic Smith (.353)
• C Kyle Teel (injured)
• SS Xander Bogaerts (.257)
• LF Rob Refsnyder (.132)

Beginning pitchers

• Chris Sale
• Nathan Eovaldi
• Kyle Harrison
• Eduardo Rodriguez
• Michael Wacha

Bullpen

• Nick Pivetta
• Hunter Dobbins
• Brennan Bernadino
• Matt Strahm
• Kenley Jansen (nearer)

This lineup definitely has its share of holes, and in equity, the outfield will not be almost as sturdy as Boston’s present group of Wilyer Abreu, Roman Anthony, and Ceddanne Rafaela when wholesome.

However the likelihood to have a lot offensive stability within the lineup is definitely one thing Pink Sox followers would salivate at after watching their staff try to generate runs in 2026.

Schwarber at the moment leads MLB in residence runs (18), together with a pair of bombs towards Boston this previous week. He was obtainable in free company this offseason, too, had Boston made a critical transfer to reunite with him. Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts have been two of probably the most beloved members of the Pink Sox 2018 World Sequence staff, and are nonetheless producing virtually eight years later for his or her respective franchises.

Kyle Teel hasn’t made his 2026 debut but, however he’s a much better catching possibility than both Connor Wong or Carlos Narvaez. And Dominic Smith has been a shock breakout star, batting over .350 as of Might 15.

Add for every little thing that was made in regards to the Pink Sox beginning rotation being among the many league’s greatest heading into 2026, there are at the moment seven beginning pitchers within the MLB who performed for Boston previously who can be second or third choices on the staff primarily based on ERA.

Sale had a profession resurgence in Atlanta. Harrison was hardly given a chance in Boston earlier than being shipped away to amass Caleb Durbin (sure, that Caleb Durbin). And even Pivetta and Dobbins, who projected into the bullpen on this theoretical lineup, can be sturdy choices for the 2026 Pink Sox.

It’s onerous to not surprise what this season would appear like if Boston might have stored even 4 or 5 of those former stars together with its present crop of expertise.

Changing Durbin with both Bregman or Devers can be an improve. Making Schwarber the full-time DH would go a good distance, too. And each Bogaerts and Betts would have been nice Pink Sox lifers had the entrance workplace made the dedication to protecting them.

So, the grass isn’t at all times greener. However seeing simply what number of former Pink Sox are flourishing is a harsh reminder that Boston must be much more aggressive in 2026 than it’s at the moment.