The Boston Red Sox’s 2025 season ended sooner than they’d hoped, with a swift three-game sweep by the rival New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card Series. Despite a strong second half that saw them climb from two games under .500 on June 30 to an 89-73 record and their first playoff berth since 2021, the loss exposed critical gaps in the roster. While the team faces decisions about position players—like navigating the Alex Bregman situation and resolving the outfield logjam—the most pressing need this offseason is clear: bolstering the pitching staff.
The consensus among fans and analysts is that Boston must look outside the organization, through trades or free agency, to secure a No. 2 starter to complement ace Garrett Crochet. But a rotation takes more than two arms to compete at the level the Red Sox are targeting for 2026. Questions linger about who will fill the 3-5 spots in the starting lineup. Fortunately, the Red Sox may already have a hidden gem in their ranks, one who could redefine their rotation: Patrick Sandoval.
Red Sox beat writer Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, co-host of the “Fenway Rundown” podcast, recently took to X to highlight the team’s pitching depth. While acknowledging the need for a “very good No. 2” starter, Cotillo pointed to a promising group already in house, including Brayan Bello, Connelly Early, Hunter Dobbins, Kutter Crawford, Richard Fitts, and Payton Tolle. “Lots of depth. Good starters at AAA. Maybe someone (Fitts) in the pen,” he noted. But it was his mention of Patrick Sandoval as the “X factor” that turned heads.
Sandoval, a left-hander who didn’t throw a single pitch in 2025, is an intriguing wildcard. Signed to a two-year deal last December despite undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2024, Sandoval was expected to miss at least the first half of the 2025 season. The Red Sox banked on his potential to return to the form that made him a reliable mid-rotation starter for the Los Angeles Angels, where he showcased a devastating slider, a changeup that baffled right-handed hitters, and a lively fastball.
Boston had hoped Sandoval would return mid-season in 2025, but his rehab hit roadblocks. By the All-Star break, the team shut him down for the year, a cautious move that prioritized long-term health over a rushed comeback. While this was a blow for a rotation that leaned heavily on its bullpen and young arms down the stretch, it sets the stage for a potential breakout in 2026.
Now 29, Sandoval will be over 18 months removed from his last competitive outing when spring training begins in February. If his recovery stays on track, he could regain the strength and command that made him a standout in 2022, when he posted a 3.09 ERA over 27 starts. That version of Sandoval isn’t just a back-end starter—he’s a lefty who can slot in behind Crochet, offering a different look and eating crucial innings in a pennant race.
The Red Sox’s rotation has potential but lacks consistency. Young arms like Bello and Crawford show promise, but the staff often relied on the bullpen to cover innings in 2025. Sandoval, if healthy, could be the stabilizing force Boston needs. He doesn’t have to be an ace—just a reliable piece that bridges the gap between Crochet and the rest of the rotation. His ability to miss bats with his slider and keep hitters off balance with his changeup could make him a difference-maker in tight games.
Cotillo’s “X factor” label is spot-on. Sandoval’s return represents a low-risk, high-reward opportunity. A healthy Sandoval gives Boston flexibility, allowing prospects like Early, Dobbins, or Tolle to develop without being rushed into high-pressure roles. If he falters, the Red Sox can lean on their depth or explore other options. But if he delivers, Sandoval could transform a rotation with potential into one with staying power.
As the Red Sox map out their offseason, the focus will understandably be on landing a marquee No. 2 starter. But the real game-changer might already be in their clubhouse. Patrick Sandoval, the “forgotten arm,” could be the dark horse that elevates Boston’s rotation from promising to formidable. In a winter filled with big moves and bigger questions, his recovery might just be the answer that defines the Red Sox’s 2026 season.