Pitching carried the Sox to the '25 playoffs, but that included a career year by Chapman and a solid comeback by Giolito, before he broke down and couldn't start in the Bronx. The latter is probably gone, replaced by Gray, while we pray we'll again be happy with Chappy.
But let's get right down to it: the line-up the Red Sox ran out there in the '25 playoffs was easily the most impotent batting order Boston has ever featured in any postseason of my 60 years as a fan. Even if Anthony develops into an All-Star, the offense needs major upgrades for it to be a true contender.
And unless Breslow is going to swing trades all week for legit bats that offer both contact and power at 1B, 2B and 3B, not to mention DH, then Henry is going to have to OK spending a billion bucks on free agents. Which one of those is more likely?
So what's the sense of giving up the two best pitching prospects this club has produced since Papelbon and Lester?