MLB Writer Blasts Red Sox for Early Struggles

Just last season, the Boston Red Sox finished exactly at .500, sporting a record of 81-81. One could only expect that, after adding Alex Bregman, Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler, Boston would have immediately become an AL superpower. However, that’s not the way things are turning out. Now 66 games into the 2025 season, Boston is in fourth place in the AL East, their 31-35 record weighing on their high expectations.

MLB writer Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report recently took the opportunity to grade the performance of all 30 teams three months into the season. In his perspective, the Red Sox are earning themselves a “C-.” Kelly notes the success of Crochet and Devers as well as the resurgence of fireball closer Aroldis Chapman, but highlights the factors that have been keeping the team from thriving.

“Alex Bregman was having a tremendous season but has been sidelined with what manager Alex Cora described as a ‘significant injury’ to his right quad. Tanner Houck was an All-Star last season but posted an 8.04 ERA in nine starts before a right flexor pronator strain landed him on the IL. Lucas Giolito, Walker Buehler and Trevor Story are making a combined $62.55 million this season, and none are coming close to performing up to their contracts.”

The Bregman injury, which was one aspect outside anyone’s control, is definitely a blow to the team. Tanner Houck (still on the IL), whose rehab is inching forward at a slower than expected pace, had been hard-pressed to find the same success he threw to last season, when he posted a 3.12 ERA. But the bulk of Boston’s woes are the contracts Kelly mentioned in the last line of his Red Sox analysis.

One might also add Kristian Campbell to the list. A member of Boston’s “Big Three” prospects after the departure of Kyle Teel, Campbell started hot out of the gate, landing himself an eight-year, $60 million contract extension. Now, he is hitting .227 with five home runs on the season, adding to Boston’s miseries.