"In the 19 years between 1993 and 2011, the Red Sox didn't finish in last place in the division a single time. In the 14 years since 2011, they finished in last 6 times. The lean Chaim Bloom years were intended, according to Fenway Sports Group, to serve as something of a resent to avoid the "boom and bust" cycles that we've seen over the last decade."
"And with a playoff berth last year, it was looking like the Sox would be out of the cellar for a while. But is that hope already evaporating? According to Jonathan Papelbon, the race for last place in the AL East in 2026 is between the Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays: Talk about what you want, remind yourself that the offseason isn't over yet, and be good to one another."
From 1993–2011 the Red Sox never finished last in the division; since 2011 they have finished last six times. The lean Chaim Bloom years aimed to serve as a reset to avoid boom-and-bust cycles and restructure the roster and farm system. A playoff berth last year suggested a return to competitiveness and a move out of the cellar. Current trends and roster uncertainty raise doubts about sustained improvement and invite speculation about regression. The 2026 AL East last-place race is framed as between the Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays. The offseason remains ongoing and fans are urged to be patient and civil.
Read at Over the Monster
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