Overview
- ESPN’s David Schoenfield awarded Boston an “A,” praising a reworked rotation led by Garrett Crochet with additions Sonny Gray and Ranger Suárez.
- He highlighted trades for Willson Contreras, Caleb Durbin and Johan Oviedo as win-now moves executed without heavy long-term payroll hits.
- Boston’s front office kept its young core intact, retaining top pitching prospects Payton Tolle and Connelly Early after their late-2025 debuts.
- Chicago received a “B” for an aggressive winter headlined by Alex Bregman’s $175 million signing and an Edward Cabrera trade that cost top prospect Owen Caissie, with Shota Imanaga re-signed.
- Philadelphia drew a “B-” for mostly running it back, re-signing Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto after missing on Bo Bichette and losing Ranger Suárez, with questions about roster refresh left unresolved.