Red Sox Slide In Latest Power Rankings, Trail AL East Rivals

Pitchers and catchers don’t report to spring training for another five weeks, yet the Boston Red Sox are already losing ground in the American League East.

ESPN is out with its MLB midwinter power rankings. The Red Sox finished the 2025 season at No. 9, then moved up to No. 5 in the “way-too-early 2026 rankings.”

So what gives with the club sliding down to No. 6 this time around?

“The Red Sox are the only team that hasn’t signed a free agent to a major league contract this offseason, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t been active,” ESPN’s Jorge Castillo writes.

“They acquired right-hander Sonny Gray and first baseman Willson Contreras in separate trades with the Cardinals, and right-hander Johan Oviedo from the Pirates.

“Moving forward, Boston is interested in re-signing third baseman Alex Bregman,” Castillo notes.

“Trading an outfielder to break the logjam and adding another starting pitcher — the Red Sox are one of the teams interested in acquiring right-hander Freddy Peralta from the Brewers — are also possibilities,” Castillo adds.

Certainly re-signing Bregman or landing another free agent like shortstop Bo Bichette would boost Boston’s ranking. And a move like that can’t come soon enough from chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, because the Red Sox are staring up at their American League East rivals.

The Toronto Blue Jays, the defending American League champions, are ranked No. 2 overall after a busy offseason which saw them land right-hander Dylan Cease on a seven-year, $210 million contract and Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto on a four-year, $60 million deal.

The New York Yankees checked in at No. 4 on the latest power rankings. And keep in mind, the club’s biggest offseason move to date was bringing back outfielder Trent Grisham on the one-year, $22 million qualifying offer.

The Yankees remain linked to free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger, as well as Bichette and Kyle Tucker, so New York could get a bump if general manager Brian Cashman can wheel and deal.

And the Red Sox need to keep a close eye on the Baltimore Orioles, who surged up to No. 10 after signing free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract and closer Ryan Helsley to a two-year, $28 million contract.

Of course, it’s way too early for Red Sox Nation to start panicking over the club’s 2026 prospects. But it would certainly go a long way toward calming the masses if Breslow can reel in Bregman or another big-time free-agent slugger.