The 2020 Boston Red Sox season was the 120th season in the team's history, and their 109th season at Fenway Park. The team entered spring training with a new leader in baseball operations, Chaim Bloom, and a new field manager, Ron Roenicke.
On March 12, 2020, MLB announced that because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the regular season would be delayed by at least two weeks in addition to the remainder of spring training being cancelled. Four days later, it was announced that the start of the season would be pushed back indefinitely due to the recommendation made by the CDC to restrict events of more than 50 people for eight weeks. On June 23, MLB announced that pre-season training would resume by July 1, in anticipation of a regular season of 60 games. The season was held without fans at Fenway Park due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Red Sox began their regular season on July 24, in a home game against the Baltimore Orioles. On September 12, the team suffered its 31st loss, assuring them of finishing the season with a losing record, their first since 2015. On September 27, prior to the team's final regular season game, the Red Sox announced that Roenicke would not return as manager for the 2021 season. The team ended the season with a record of 24 wins and 36 losses, finishing in last place in the American League East division, 16 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays. Boston's .400 winning percentage was the lowest for the franchise since the 1965 Red Sox finished with a .383 winning percentage (62–100). Average television viewership for Red Sox games broadcast by NESN fell by 54% from 2019 figures, the largest drop of the 25 MLB teams reporting viewership data.
Offseason The team completed its 2019 season with interim executive leadership, as Brian O'Halloran, Eddie Romero, Zack Scott, and Raquel Ferreira oversaw baseball operations following the September 9 dismissal of Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations. As the season came to a close, principal owner John W. Henry and chairman Tom Werner stated that they want the team to get its payroll under the Major League Baseball luxury tax threshold. The team's 2019 payroll of $243 million was $37 million over the $206 million threshold, resulting in the team paying $13 million in luxury tax. The 2020 threshold was set at $208 million.
October On October 2, it was reported that assistant hitting coach Andy Barkett was dismissed, which was confirmed by the team on October 8. On October 8, the team announced that ticket prices at Fenway Park during the 2020 season would increase an average of 1.7% from 2019 pricing. On October 8, the team announced that Dana LeVangie and Brian Bannister would not return as the team's pitching coach and assistant pitching coach, respectively, although both would remain with the team in other roles. On October 18, the team released pitcher Steven Wright, and removed Gorkys Hernández and Josh Smith from the 40-man roster, sending both outright to Pawtucket. On October 21, Hernández, Smith, and Chris Owings elected free agency rather than accepting assignments to Triple-A Pawtucket. On October 21, Peter Fatse was reportedly hired as the team's assistant hitting coach, which was officially announced on October 31. On October 24, analyst Bill James announced his retirement from the Red Sox. On October 25, the team reportedly selected Chaim Bloom as Chief Baseball Officer and Brian O'Halloran as general manager; an official announcement was made three days later, on an off-day of the 2019 World Series. On October 31, the following players became free agents: Andrew Cashner, Jhoulys Chacín, Brock Holt, Mitch Moreland, Steve Pearce, and Rick Porcello. The team also selected Josh Osich off waivers from the Chicago White Sox. On October 31, the team officially named Dave Bush pitching coach, Kevin Walker assistant pitching coach, and Peter Fatse assistant hitting coach. On October 31, J. D. Martinez entered a five-day period within which he could opt out of his contract (which would make him a free agent and trigger a $2.5 million payment from the Red Sox); Martinez did not opt out.
November On November 4, catcher Juan Centeno was removed from the 40-man roster and elected to become a free agent. On November 12, Tony La Russa, who had worked with the Red Sox for two years as a special assistant, was hired by the Los Angeles Angels as a senior advisor. On November 20, in advance of the Rule 5 draft, the Red Sox added five players to their 40-man roster: Yoan Aybar, C. J. Chatham, Bobby Dalbec, Kyle Hart, and Marcus Wilson. On November 27, Brian Johnson was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Pawtucket.
December
On December 2, Sandy León was traded to the Cleveland Indians for minor league pitcher Adenys Bautista, Trevor Kelley was claimed off of waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies, and the team declined to tender offers to Marco Hernández and Josh Osich, making them free agents. On December 4, Hernández and Osich were re-signed to one-year contracts. On December 4, former assistant pitching coach Brian Bannister left the Red Sox for a front-office position with the San Francisco Giants. On December 9, the team announced contract extensions for executives Raquel Ferreira, Eddie Romero, and Zack Scott, under which they each hold the title of Executive Vice President / Assistant General Manager. On December 10, sportswriter Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe, who died while reporting on spring training in February 2019, was named the 2020 recipient of the J. G. Taylor Spink Award by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). On December 12, the team selected shortstop Jonathan Araúz from the Houston Astros in the Rule 5 draft. Additionally, pitcher Rick Porcello was reported to have reached agreement with the New York Mets on a one-year contract, and the Red Sox were reported to have reached one-year agreements with infielder José Peraza, formerly of the Cincinnati Reds, and pitcher Martín Pérez, formerly of the Minnesota Twins—each signing to be officially confirmed. On December 13, Peraza officially signed with the Red Sox. On December 16, Porcello officially signed with the Mets. On December 19, Pérez officially signed with the Red Sox. On December 20, the Red Sox selected pitcher Chris Mazza off of waivers from the Mets.
January On January 2, the team signed catcher Kevin Plawecki, while Sam Travis was designated for assignment. Travis cleared waivers, and was sent outright to Triple-A Pawtucket. On January 7, The Athletic published a report alleging that the 2018 Red Sox broke MLB rules by using a video replay room during regular season games to decipher the signs of opposing catchers, according to three unnamed sources who were with the team that year. On January 10, it was reported that the team reached agreement with multiple arbitration-eligible players for the 2020 season: Matt Barnes, Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Heath Hembree, and Brandon Workman. On January 10, the Red Sox acquired pitcher Austin Brice from the Miami Marlins in exchange for minor league second baseman Angeudis Santos. In a corresponding move, Marco Hernández was designated for assignment; he was sent outright to Pawtucket on January 16. On January 13, MLB's findings regarding the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal were announced, including that Boston manager Alex Cora—who was bench coach for the 2017 Astros—"was the only non-player involved in the subterfuge", raising the possibility that Cora may also face discipline from MLB. On January 14, the Red Sox and Cora mutually agreed to part ways. On January 15, the team traded Sam Travis to the Texas Rangers in exchange for pitcher Jeffrey Springs; to create room on the 40-man roster, Bobby Poyner was designated for assignment. On January 17, the team acquired pitcher Matt Hall from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for minor league catcher Jhon Nuñez. In a corresponding move, Travis Lakins was designated for assignment. On January 21, Lakins was traded to the Chicago Cubs for future considerations, and Poyner was assigned outright to Triple-A Pawtucket. On January 28, the team re-signed Mitch Moreland to a one-year contract. To make room on the 40-man roster, Denyi Reyes was designated for assignment; he was later sent outright to Pawtucket.
February
On February 3, "Truck Day", the team's equipment left Fenway Park for Florida. On February 8, the team announced signing Andrew Benintendi to a two-year, $10 million deal. On February 9, it was reported that the Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers reached agreement on a trade to send Mookie Betts, David Price, and $48 million in cash to the Dodgers in exchange for outfielder Alex Verdugo and prospects Jeter Downs and Connor Wong. On February 10, the above noted trade was made official. On February 11, the team named Ron Roenicke interim manager. On February 14, the team signed free agent Kevin Pillar. On February 19, the team signed free agent Jonathan Lucroy to a minor league contract. Spring training On February 21, the Red Sox defeated the Northeastern Huskies in an exhibition game at JetBlue Park, 3–0. Grapefruit League games for the Red Sox began on February 22, with the team facing the Tampa Bay Rays. On February 22, the team named Jerry Narron bench coach. On February 23, the team claimed Phillips Valdez off of waivers from the Seattle Mariners; in a corresponding move, the team placed Dustin Pedroia on the 60-day injured list.
March On March 5, the team signed Collin McHugh to a one-year contract; in a corresponding move, Héctor Velázquez was designated for assignment. On March 8, Velázquez was claimed off of waivers by the Baltimore Orioles. On March 12, MLB cancelled remaining spring training games and announced that the start of the regular season would be delayed by at least two weeks, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Four days later, the start of the season was moved back to at least mid-May. On March 19, the team announced that Chris Sale would undergo Tommy John surgery. On March 27, roster moves were frozen until the start of the season, as part of an agreement reached between MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). On March 30, the team announced that Sale successfully underwent Tommy John surgery in Los Angeles.
April On April 13, Steve Pearce (who had become a free agent at the end of October) announced his retirement. On April 22, commissioner Rob Manfred issued findings from the investigation about electronic sign-stealing by the 2018 Red Sox. The findings focused on the actions of the team's replay operator, who as a result was suspended for the 2020 season (including postseason) and the team forfeited their second-round selection in the 2020 MLB draft. The team subsequently removed the "interim" tag from Roenicke's title. On April 29, the team announced that they would be offering refunds, credits, or exchanges for tickets to home games that had been scheduled for April 2 through May 28. On April 30, the 2020 MLB Little League Classic, which had been scheduled for August 23 between the Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was cancelled.
May On May 29, the team released 22 minor league players. Later the same day, the team announced that they would not lay off or furlough any full-time workers, but those making more than $50,000 would have their pay cut.
June In the 2020 MLB draft, held on June 10–11, the Red Sox selected infielder Nick Yorke of Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, California, with their first-round pick.