Boston Red Sox Consider Six-Man Rotation for 2025 Season

Following a challenging season where the Boston Red Sox struggled to maintain a consistent five-man starting rotation, the team is now exploring the possibility of implementing a six-man rotation for the 2025 season. This strategic shift aims to bolster pitching depth and manage workload more effectively.

In his first public comments since acquiring starter Garrett Crochet and signing free agents Patrick Sandoval and Walker Buehler, Red Sox's chief baseball officer Craig Breslow shared insights into the team's thought process. "We have had some conversations," Breslow said on Monday. "We're very, very open to a number of solutions."

Breslow emphasized the importance of pitching depth, noting that the team anticipates relying on more than just five starters throughout the season. "I don't think it's possible to have too much starting pitching depth, and we know we're going to call on more than just five guys -- whether that's right out of the gates or at some point during the season," he explained.

The idea of using a six-man rotation is particularly appealing given the early season schedule, which may lend itself to this approach. A six-man rotation could provide several benefits, including extra rest for pitchers, better management of innings, and reduced risk of injuries.