Pitchers and catchers don\u2019t report to spring training for another five weeks, yet the Boston Red Sox are already losing ground in the American League East.<\/p>\n
ESPN is out with its MLB midwinter power rankings<\/a>. The Red Sox finished the 2025 season at No. 9, then moved up to No. 5 in the \u201cway-too-early 2026 rankings.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n So what gives with the club sliding down to No. 6 this time around?<\/p>\n \u201cThe Red Sox are the only team that hasn\u2019t signed a free agent to a major league contract this offseason, but that doesn\u2019t mean they haven\u2019t been active,\u201d ESPN\u2019s Jorge Castillo<\/a> writes.<\/p>\n \u201cThey acquired right-hander\u00a0Sonny Gray<\/a>\u00a0and first baseman\u00a0Willson Contreras<\/a>\u00a0in separate trades with the Cardinals, and right-hander\u00a0Johan Oviedo<\/a>\u00a0from the Pirates. <\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cMoving forward, Boston is interested in re-signing third baseman\u00a0Alex Bregman<\/a>,\u201d Castillo notes. <\/p>\n \u201cTrading an outfielder to break the logjam and adding another starting pitcher \u2014 the Red Sox are one of the teams interested in acquiring right-hander\u00a0Freddy Peralta<\/a>\u00a0from the Brewers \u2014 are also possibilities,\u201d Castillo adds.<\/p>\n Certainly re-signing Bregman<\/a> or landing another free agent like shortstop Bo Bichette<\/a> would boost Boston\u2019s ranking. And a move like that can\u2019t come soon enough from chief baseball officer Craig Breslow<\/a>, because the Red Sox are staring up at their American League East<\/a> rivals.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n The Toronto Blue Jays, the defending American League champions, are ranked No. 2 overall after a busy offseason which saw them land right-hander Dylan Cease<\/a> on a seven-year, $210 million contract<\/a> and Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto<\/a> on a four-year, $60 million deal.<\/a><\/p>\n The New York Yankees checked in at No. 4 on the latest power rankings. And keep in mind, the club\u2019s biggest offseason move to date was bringing back outfielder Trent Grisham<\/a> on the one-year, $22 million qualifying offer<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Yankees remain linked to free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger<\/a>, as well as Bichette and Kyle Tucker<\/a>, so New York could get a bump if general manager Brian Cashman<\/a> can wheel and deal.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/p>\n And the Red Sox need to keep a close eye on the Baltimore Orioles, who surged up to No. 10 after signing free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso<\/a> to a five-year, $155 million contract<\/a> and closer Ryan Helsley<\/a> to a two-year, $28 million contract<\/a>.<\/p>\n