The Red Sox organization, including President and CEO Sam Kennedy, Chairman Tom Werner, Craig Breslow, and Principal Owner John Henry, gathered for a photo session following Breslow’s official introduction as the team’s new Chief Baseball Officer. This marks the beginning of the MLB offseason for the Red Sox, who have wasted no time in making their first major acquisition. The press conference shed some light on the team’s plans for the upcoming offseason, and it is evident that Breslow has some strategic moves to make in order to improve the team’s performance and secure a spot in the playoffs. As free agency kicks off on Monday, here are six key points to note about the Red Sox’ 2024 offseason.
1. Notable Free Agents: While the Red Sox don’t have high-profile free agents like Xander Bogaerts from the previous offseason, there are a few players who made significant contributions last season and are now set to explore the open market. Justin Turner stands out as one of the biggest names among them. Although he declined his player option, Turner has expressed his desire to return to the Red Sox for the 2024 season, having enjoyed his time in Boston after the conclusion of the 2023 season. Turner played a crucial role in the team’s success, ranking among the top performers in batting average, home runs, and RBIs. However, his potential return might face some obstacles, as there are talks of repositioning Masataka Yoshida as the primary designated hitter and the emergence of Triston Casas as a first baseman. James Paxton and Adam Duvall are other notable free agents on the Red Sox roster.
2. Need for Starting Pitching: It is clear that the Red Sox are in need of additional starting pitching support. Even after transitioning away from a three-man rotation, the team’s starting pitchers struggled to consistently pitch deep into games, leading to a strain on the bullpen. Fortunately, there are numerous quality starting pitchers available in free agency this offseason. Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, Aaron Nola, and Marcus Stroman, among others, offer attractive options for the Red Sox to bolster their rotation. However, the most sought-after pitcher on the market is Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has garnered significant attention due to his dominant performances in Japan’s top baseball league. The Red Sox have expressed interest in Yamamoto and may explore acquiring him through the posting system.
3. Limited Options for Positional Players: When it comes to signing impactful positional players, the Red Sox face limited options in free agency. Apart from Ohtani, Cody Bellinger is considered one of the top available players after his impressive comeback season with the Cubs. Other notable hitters include Matt Chapman, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Rhys Hoskins, Teoscar Hernandez, Jorge Soler, and designated hitters J.D. Martinez and Justin Turner. While the selection may not be ideal, the Red Sox can rely on the return of six regular starters from last season’s lineup, including Trevor Story, to maintain their strong offensive performance.
4. Potential Trades: The Red Sox have five players eligible for arbitration, namely Alex Verdugo, Nick Pivetta, Reese McGuire, John Schreiber, and Luis Urías. Among them, Verdugo and Pivetta are the main focus due to their contributions to the team. Both players are entering their final year of arbitration before becoming eligible for free agency. While Verdugo has been a consistent presence in the Red Sox outfield and has put up solid numbers, there have been discussions about his potential trade candidacy, especially with the emergence of players like Jarren Duran and Cedanne Rafaela. Pivetta, on the other hand, had a strong second half of the season, making him an asset that other teams may be interested in.
The Red Sox have a challenging offseason ahead as they aim to strengthen their roster and make a comeback after back-to-back last-place finishes. With plenty of decisions to be made regarding free agents, starting pitching acquisitions, and potential trades, Breslow and the Red Sox front office will need to prioritize strategic moves to bring success back to Boston.
David Rodriguez brings the excitement of Major League Baseball to readers. With a deep appreciation for America’s pastime, he covers the latest MLB news, scores, and player achievements, keeping fans up to date with their favorite teams and players.
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