If you’re checking the Fenway weather or looking for a box score today, January 18, 2026, you might be a few weeks early for actual dirt flying. Honestly, there isn't a game today. We are currently in the deep freeze of the MLB offseason, which means the "pitching" happening right now is mostly front-office executives pitching contract numbers to agents.
But don't let the empty mound fool you. The Red Sox just pulled off a massive move that fundamentally changes who will be pitching for them when it actually matters.
Earlier this week, the Red Sox backed up the Brink’s truck for left-hander Ranger Suárez, signing him to a massive five-year, $130 million deal. It’s the kind of move fans have been screaming for since the Alex Bregman disaster earlier this winter. Basically, the Red Sox went from "searching for an identity" to "owning the best left-handed duo in the American League" in the span of about 48 hours.
The Projected 2026 Starting Rotation
Even though nobody is throwing a competitive strike today, the depth chart for the 2026 season is finally looking like a finished puzzle. Craig Breslow has been busy. After a flurry of trades and the Suárez signing, the rotation has been completely overhauled.
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Here is what the starting five looks like right now:
- Garrett Crochet (LHP): The undisputed ace. He’s coming off a monster 2025 where he put up a 2.59 ERA and struck out over 30% of the hitters he faced. He’s the guy you want on the mound for Game 1.
- Ranger Suárez (LHP): The new $130 million man. He brings that steady, "ice-in-his-veins" Phillies postseason energy to Boston.
- Sonny Gray (RHP): Acquired in a trade with the Cardinals. He’s the veteran presence this young group desperately needed.
- Brayan Bello (RHP): The homegrown talent. With less pressure on him to be "The Guy," Bello can finally focus on just being a high-end mid-rotation starter.
- Johan Oviedo (RHP): Picked up from the Pirates. He’s the wild card with huge upside if he can stay healthy.
It is a weirdly deep group. In years past, if a Red Sox starter got a hangnail, the whole season felt like it was in jeopardy. Not this time.
What About the "Next Five"?
The most fascinating part about who's pitching for the Red Sox today—or rather, who is on the roster—is the sheer amount of backup. The team actually has a second full rotation waiting in Worcester or the bullpen.
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Kutter Crawford is back and healthy after missing all of 2025. Then you’ve got young studs like Connelly Early and Payton Tolle who are basically banging on the door of the big leagues. Add in Kyle Harrison and Patrick Sandoval, and you realize the Red Sox might actually have too much pitching.
That’s a sentence I haven't written about this team in a long time.
There are even whispers that the Sox might trade from this surplus to land another right-handed bat now that Bregman is officially a Chicago Cub. It’s a luxury. Most teams are begging for one reliable starter; Boston currently has about eight.
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Key Dates for Your Calendar
Since you're clearly itching for baseball, here is when the "who's pitching" question becomes real again:
- February 2: Truck Day. The equipment leaves Fenway for Florida.
- February 10: Pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers. This is the first day you'll see Ranger Suárez in a Red Sox jersey.
- February 20: The first exhibition game against Northeastern University.
- February 21: The Grapefruit League opener against the Twins.
Why the Rotation Matters More Than Ever
The AL East is a meat grinder. The Yankees are always the Yankees, and the Orioles have a farm system that seems to produce All-Stars on a conveyor belt. For the Red Sox to compete in 2026, they couldn't just have "okay" pitching. They needed a staff that could dominate.
By pairing Crochet with Suárez, they have two lefties who can neutralize the heavy-hitting right-handed lineups in the division. It's a specific strategy. It’s also a risky one, given Suárez’s history of minor injuries and the high price tag, but it’s a gamble the front office had to take.
If you’re looking for a silver lining after the quiet start to the winter, this is it. The Red Sox are building from the mound out.
Next Steps for Red Sox Fans: Keep an eye on the trade market over the next two weeks. With the rotation solidified, the front office is expected to pivot back to the infield. Watch for names like Bo Bichette or even trade talks involving some of the "surplus" pitchers like Kutter Crawford or Patrick Sandoval to help fill the void at third base.