fixing the – Theo Epstein, a former Red Sox general manager and current senior advisor and part-owner of Fenway Sports Group, says the 2026 Red Sox still have a path out of their sub-.500 start after early struggles. Boston is 22-27 despite strong pitching and defense, and
When the Red Sox grabbed a win Wednesday and followed it with a sweep over the Royals. it felt like more than just another set of standings math. Boston’s record now sits at 22-27. but the way the team has looked in the early going has been the story: a lineup that’s been largely listless while Boston’s pitching and defense have kept showing up.
Theo Epstein, the architect of multiple contending teams in his executive career, sees a way through it. Epstein. who served as Red Sox general manager from 2002-2011 and won two World Series in Boston. said the current problems—especially on offense—can be addressed even after the season is already underway.
Epstein made the comments during an appearance on the “Dirt from the Dugout” podcast. where he was asked how Boston’s ballclub has fared up to this point. He framed his role first: he said he’s done a “really good job of staying out of the media” and the surrounding “conversation around the team.” As an advisor now—and a part-owner of Fenway Sports Group—he said he can offer his opinions without being pulled into every public debate.
On the field, he pointed to a foundation that has held firm. “Pitching and defense have been fantastic,” Epstein said. “That’s not an easy feat to have that foundation.” He then zeroed in on what’s been harder to consistently solve. “Having to figure out the offense and fixing it midstream is important. There’s something to build around with the pitching and defense. ” he said. adding that he knows Craig Breslow and the organization “are hard at work on fixing the offense.”.
The numbers reflect the unevenness. Boston began its stretch with “the first seven weeks” marked by lumps. driven largely by a lineup that has hindered the roster despite what Epstein described as quality pitching and defense on most nights. And yet, there have also been signs that the offense can wake up when it needs to.
Boston scored seven runs on Tuesday and another four during Wednesday’s victory at Kauffman Stadium. Epstein also suggested that getting Roman Anthony back into the lineup would be a welcome boost. while acknowledging that Anthony’s recovery timeline—after a sprained ligament in his right ring finger—“seems to have hit a snag in recent days.”.
For Epstein, the immediate question isn’t just how to produce runs now. It’s how to build a club that can keep adjusting without losing belief in the plan.
He spent part of his podcast discussion on a belief that has followed him through his work: trust. The 52-year-old Epstein said that. when you’re putting together a team or building a championship organization. “there’s nothing more important than players that ultimately you can trust to do a myriad of things.” His point wasn’t only about performance. It was about priorities—players putting the team first, treating organizational interests as more than an abstract slogan.
Epstein said trust has to move in both directions. He stressed the need for honesty in feedback. in contract negotiations. and in assessments of where players “stand” and how they’re developing. He described individual player development plans that came from documenting feedback and building “buy-in.” When those habits become mutual. Epstein said. it creates the kind of environment where a winning organization can last.
“If you have it going both directions. ” Epstein said. “if you’ve got players that you can trust to do the right things that we just articulated. and you’ve got players trusting the leadership — both with their manager and the GM and the ownership — you’re going to have a winning organization for a long time.”.
Epstein’s history is part of why his comments carry weight. In addition to the World Series titles in Boston, he helped construct contending clubs that delivered a third World Series title with the Cubs in 2016.
For this Red Sox season, though, the moment is closer and more immediate. The team is still working through a sub-.500 start even after the Royals series win. and Epstein’s message is clear: the foundation—pitching and defense—is already there. Now Boston has to find the offense that can carry it through the middle stretches. with trust and honest adjustments helping everyone stay aligned as the season continues.
Theo Epstein 2026 Red Sox Fenway Sports Group Craig Breslow Roman Anthony Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium MLB season