Red Sox Rotation Uncertainty: The Case for Early Over Oviedo
The Boston Red Sox's starting rotation is taking shape, with four key players already locked in: Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suarez, Sonny Gray, and Brayan Bello. However, the fifth spot remains a hotly contested battle, with Johan Oviedo, Payton Tolle, and Connelly Early vying for the role. Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval are also in the running, though they are likely to start the season on the injured list.
Oviedo has been the front-runner for the fifth spot, and his recent strong performance has only solidified his position. However, when Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter released his updated MLB rotation predictions on Tuesday, he surprisingly named Connelly Early as Boston's No. 5 starter.
Reuter highlighted the intriguing battle for the role, noting that Oviedo, as an established big leaguer, is the favorite. Yet, he also pointed out that Early's strong performance last September, which earned him a postseason start, cannot be overlooked. Additionally, the Red Sox have strategic service time considerations, which could keep Early and Tolle in the minors for a certain number of games in 2026.
Despite these strategic reasons, the team's ability to prioritize service time over injuries is uncertain. The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey predicted that Oviedo would start the season as Boston's fifth starter, but Reuter's choice of Early adds an interesting twist to the narrative.
The debate over the fifth starter is a fascinating one, and it will be intriguing to see how the Red Sox ultimately decide. Will Early's recent success and potential service time considerations tip the scales in his favor? Or will Oviedo's experience and favorite status prevail? The answer will be revealed as the season progresses, and the Red Sox's rotation takes shape.
