Craig Breslow Explains Red Sox's New 'Intentional Strategy' For 2026
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Craig Breslow Explains Red Sox's New 'Intentional Strategy' For 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Red Sox look different this year, and according to chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, that's by design.
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The Red Sox have historically been built around sluggers who could take advantage of Fenway Park, often at the expense of speed, defense and pitching. The team that Breslow has assembled this season looks like the opposite, however, as it's loaded with pitching but is light on power.
During his appearance on WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show" on Friday, Breslow said that's "intentional" to reflect the changing landscape of modern baseball.
"I think we've seen a bit of a shift throughout the industry where a lot of the rules that have been introduced are prioritizing action, balls in play. And so, with that, we want athletic defenders, guys that have a bunch of range, can get to balls, really aggressive and athletic baserunners," Breslow said. "So yeah, I think it's an intentional strategy that we're taking here."
Is the Red Sox "intentional strategy" prioritizing athleticism? Red Sox CBO Craig Breslow joins #live! Greg: "Where is the offense going to come from?" Is this roster/approach/FA Craig Breslow's vision, or the organization's? #RedSox#MLB#Baseballpic.twitter.com/eC2JB0GbvO
— The Greg Hill Show (@TheGregHillShow) February 27, 2026
Breslow said that while Boston pursued power hitters early in the offseason in an effort to improve the offense and overall roster, the front office pivoted to pitching and defense after they "weren't able to find common ground on some of those opportunities." After missing out on Alex Bregman, for example, they immediately signed Ranger Suarez.
While the Red Sox don't have a ton of thump, Breslow is confident they can still compete and win games on a daily basis with their other strengths.
"I think the thing about pitching and defense is it gives us a chance to win every single night," Breslow said, citing the team's dominant starting rotation. "It's an intentional strategy to lean into the ability to keep runs off the board."
It seems like a sound strategy in theory, but time will tell if it succeeds in practice.
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