3 Reasons Red Sox Can Still Make Playoffs Despite Disappointing Offseason

The Boston Red Sox once again find themselves in the the most top-heavy division in baseball. The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays are widely projected to bury them in the AL East standings in 2020 -- but make no mistake, there's still hope for Red Sox Nation. Their season isn't about to be over before it begins. With that in mind, let's identify three things that make it possible for Boston to make the postseason this year despite all the doubters.

3. Ron Roenicke's Playoff Experience

Ron Roenicke isn't a terrible choice coming off of Alex Cora. / Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images

In an offseason that saw the removal of Alex Cora, who brought the Red Sox 192 victories and a World Series title over two seasons in charge, Ron Roenicke was promoted to take over as interim manager. He is far from the worst choice the Boston brass could have made, as he has experience when it comes to playoff races. As Milwaukee Brewers manager from 2011-2015, he brought the Brew Crew their first division title in almost 30 years and had them two wins away from a World Series. Roenicke is no stranger to high-pressure games, and despite only being an interim guy by title, he could be exactly what they need to right the ship.

2. Most of the 2018 Core Remains

Chris Sale is one of the top performers remaining from Boston's 2018 World Series team. / Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images

The 2018 Red Sox were a singularly dominant team. A 108-win season was followed by a playoff run in which the Sox steamrolled every opponent they faced, and much of that powerhouse core will still call Fenway Park home this season. Chris Sale, Nathan Eovaldi, Rafael Devers, Xander Bogaerts, Andrew Benintendi, and J.D. Martinez are all still in place for 2020, and Devers and Benintendi are notably much better now than they were in 2018. Lots of teams would kill for a core that talented, Mookie Betts or no Mookie Betts. Including the offseason acquisitions of Alex Verdugo and Kevin Pillar, the Red Sox can be a scary team.

1. AL Wild Card Race is Wide Open

Kevin Pillar signed a one-year deal with the Sox on Friday, rounding out the outfield at Fenway. / Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images

There's not so much debate as to who the favorites are to take each division in the American League: Yankees in the East, Twins in the Central, and despite their nightmare offseason, the Astros in the West. The only other truly imposing team outside of those three would be the Tampa Bay Rays, leaving the final Wild Card spot wide open. Many predict the Los Angeles Angels to rise from the dead and take it, but they are unproven and have no experience. The Oakland A's continue to show their lack of dependability when it comes to winning big games, and the Chicago White Sox are still extremely young and might have a year or two away. This might be Boston's last, best shot at a postseason berth before needing to consider a rebuild.