This time last season, we thought the Boston Red Sox were bound for a rebuild. Finishing (and overachieving) at exactly 81-81 and missing the playoffs for a third time later, that appeared to be true.
Cue the offseason, and Boston proved us wrong again. Former pitcher Craig Breslow is back for his second year as the Sawx’s “Chief Baseball Officer” and was both shrewd and aggressive. He strengthened the starting rotation by acquiring breakout lefty Garrett Crochet from the White Sox. An even bigger name was added in free agency, right before the start of spring training.