Coming into the 2022 season, everyone knew two things to be true: The AL East was going to be tough sledding, and MLBs expanded playoff format was likely to allow multiple strong teams from the division to compete. Four teams from the powerhouse division playing meaningful September baseball seemed imminently reasonable. Its just that no one thought the one team left out of that group would be the Boston Red Sox.
Maybe we should expect it by now. The last 11 seasons have been a difficult-to-believe roller coaster in Boston. There have been five postseason appearances, including two World Series titles, and now there will be five last-place finishes alongside. There have also been three top baseball executives and four different managers.
Current chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom took over when owner John Henry fired Dave Dombrowski near the end of the 2019 season. The error that cost Dombrowski his job was paying the luxury tax for a team that finished third. This year, the Red Sox will pay the luxury tax again for a space in the cellar. Now, Henry can afford it, its only a $900,000 bill, but his emphasis on getting under the tax at the time raise questions about how he will respond when his team needs reinforcements, not belt tightening. He walked back some of those comments but still acknowledged an incentive to be under the tax threshold which carries escalating penalties for repeat spenders to the Boston Globe, I think every team probably wants to reset at least once every three years.
Henry also didnt really need to say anything for the priority to be apparent. After all, Blooms first major act at the helm was to trade away Mookie Betts.
If theyre going to defy the gravity of losing once again, there are major questions to be answered. And they start with the money.
The two best players on the Red Sox reside on the left side of the infield. Xander Bogaerts, the shortstop who is turning 30 on Saturday, will likely opt out of his contract after the season. Rafael Devers, the baby-faced 25-year-old third baseman, is under team control through 2023.
Story continues
Whatever comes next for this team starts with these negotiations. Team president Sam Kennedy dismissed the narrative that the Red Sox arent willing to spend this week, so perhaps that portends an effort to get these deals settled.
Bogaerts, who makes $20 million per year under his current deal, will certainly be able to beat that on the open market. Take whatever scope you want three seasons, five seasons and he compares favorably to Carlos Correa, Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, all of whom signed for at least $25 million per year last offseason.
Devers, who could reach free agency right around his 27th birthday, presents Bloom and company with a less elite, but still crucial, version of the Betts situation. With one year left under team control, Devers has proven himself to be one of the 15 to 20 best pure hitters in baseball. His defense was subpar in previous seasons, but the numbers point toward improvement in 2022. Whether teams believe that will stick for at least a few years will have some sway over his earning power. Even if he is viewed as a future first baseman, the deal to secure him will likely need to come in north of the $21 million per year the Braves gave to Austin Riley and Matt Olson.
The 2023 Red Sox starting rotation looks murky to say the least. Chris Sales return from Tommy John surgery was delayed by a rib cage injury. Then, he suffered a fractured finger on his pitching hand in his second start back in the majors. While recovering from that, he broke his other wrist in a bike crash and required season-ending surgery. Should he be good to go for 2023? Sure.
Nathan Eovaldi is set to become a free agent, along with Michael Wacha and Rich Hill. James Paxton who signed a one-year, $10 million deal with several options never pitched in 2022. The Red Sox presumably wont pick up his $13 million team option, but he could exercise a $4 million player option.
Internally, 23-year-old Brayan Bello looks like a keeper after 12 games in the bigs (10 of them starts), but high walk totals lend at least some doubt about how reliable he will be in his first full season. Nick Pivetta can provide innings, but his best major league season involved an ERA merely 1% better than league average.
External options also exist, of course.
The turnover on the pitching staff could even be a good thing if Bloom has better luck on the market. Thats just far from a guarantee. Last winters attempts at efficiency included trading away solid outfielder Hunter Renfroe as his arbitration salary doubled. He continued with a nearly identical 2-WAR season, while the Red Sox flailed at finding even a serviceable hitter to replace him. Real upgrades usually cost real money.
Its hard not to think about Betts eventual deal with the Dodgers, which he has said he would have signed if it were offered by the Red Sox. Its a long deal, 12 years, but it carries an average annual value that now looks very reasonable for a perennial MVP candidate at $30.4 million. For at least the next two seasons theyll be paying upward of $47 million for a mid-30s pitcher (Sale) and a shortstop with two straight worrisome seasons of mediocrity under his belt (Trevor Story).
So the question is: Will the misadventures in cost-cutting change their ways? The free agent class this winter is loaded. There are real impact players available from Aaron Judge to Jacob deGrom to Trea Turner, if Bogaerts moves on or someone is willing to move positions. There are also potentially impactful, if riskier, options like Carlos Rodon who figure to be available in that Story range.
Bloom has also legitimately improved the standing of Bostons minor league system. There is a good deal of talent in the pipeline, much of it in the coveted middle infield category. First baseman Triston Casas has already hit the ground running and figures to provide pop for the foreseeable future. Within two years, more high-level players should emerge as big-league help at the usual rookie bargain rates.
This isnt a team or a city that usually waits a few years, though. Its the Red Sox. They can afford the talent to rebound quickly, even in a daunting division. And until they secure it and achieve that rebound theyre going to be answering questions about the ill-fated cost-slashing assignment that ownership gave Bloom and the current regime in 2019.
Excerpt from:
- 7 Social Security Shakeups You Need To Be Ready For Heading Into the New Year - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Crypto had a surprisingly great year. It still faces threats in 2024. - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- 'How the hell does that even happen?' McCarthy exits Congress amid confusion over who can run to replace him - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Short sellers lost close to $178 billion in 2023 - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Trump legal news brief: Giuliani files for bankruptcy after judge rules he must immediately pay $148 million for election ... - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- No One Wants Used EVs, Making New Ones a Tougher Sell Too - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Israel's military campaign in Gaza seen as among the most destructive in recent history, experts say - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Barbara Corcoran Says Housing Prices 'Are Going To Go Through the Roof' But When? - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Are You Wealthy? The Net Worth You Need To Be Considered Poor, Middle-Class And Wealthy In America - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- German bishop Btzing criticizes pope over Ukraine and Israel stance - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- 'Severe revenue decline': California faces a record $68 billion deficit here's what is eating away at the Golden State's ... - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Poll: Trump is tied with Biden for now but criminal trials and unpopular plans pose risks for 2024 - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Rudy Giuliani files for bankruptcy days after being ordered to pay $148 million in defamation case - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- 'It's just bragging rights': Once you achieve this credit score there's 'no benefit' to scoring higher, expert says here are ... - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Records released by House Republicans show that Joe Biden repeatedly emailed Hunter Biden's business associate ... - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Tesla Getting Trounced by S&P 500 Three Years After Joining - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Ukrainian forces shoot down three Russian Su-34 fighter jets on southern front - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- The only AI 'regulation' coming is from workers - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Innocent Black Man Spent 50 Years in Prison, His Compensation Will Annoy The Hell out of You - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Texas begins flying migrants from southern border to Chicago. The 1st plane carried over 120 people - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Donald Trump Is Running Scared - Yahoo News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- The biggest 2024 threat to Big Tech is coming from both sides of the Atlantic - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Apple halts online sales of its Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- 2023 FIBA World Cup: Jaren Jackson Jr.'s elite rim protection and defensive presence come with a price - Yahoo Sports - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- Fantasy Football Rankings: These are the hardest players to ... - Yahoo Sports - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- Cowboys QB Dak Prescott feels for Will Grier after Trey Lance deal, not worried about future in Dallas - Yahoo Sports - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- Massive alligator captured in Mississippi is a new state record. Nightmare material - Yahoo! Voices - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- Virginia Gov. Youngkin eyes a 15-week abortion ban as a 'consensus' voters would back - Yahoo News - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- Poll: Trump could be in big trouble for 2024 if convicted of crimes - Yahoo News - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- 'She-Hulk' star Tatiana Maslany nearly brought to tears after overcoming fears of heights and cold with the help of Bear Grylls - Yahoo Entertainment - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- Don't feel guilty about being lazy. Experts say there are some health benefits. - Yahoo Life - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- Center Paolo Banchero helps Team USA power past physical New Zealand in FIBA World Cup - Yahoo Sports - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- Tyreek Hill says Tua's response to ESPN criticism 'fires me up,' shows Dolphins something they've never seen - Yahoo Sports - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- USA's Katie Moon, Australia's Nina Kennedy agree to share pole vault gold after tie atop World Athletics Championships - Yahoo Sports - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- Blue Jays' Bo Bichette, Matt Chapman leave game vs. Guardians with injuries - Yahoo Sports - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- Benches clear twice as Rays roll past Yankees 7-4: 'It's a last-place team' - Yahoo Sports - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- All-Pro Chris Jones says hes willing to extend Chiefs holdout through Week 8 - Yahoo Sports - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- Fyre Festival II: Andy King confirms he's working with Billy McFarland for 'redemption'; 1st drop sells out - Yahoo Entertainment - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- Pirates first overall pick Paul Skenes doesn't make it out of 1st inning in Double-A debut - Yahoo Sports - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- U.S. men and women sweep gold in 4x100m relay at World Championships - Yahoo Sports - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- Spain soccer president Luis Rubiales apologizes for kissing player, as calls for his resignation mount - Yahoo Sports - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- COVID cases are rising. What are schools doing about it? - Yahoo Life - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- Nicolas Batum ashamed and scared to go home after France is knocked out of FIBA World Cup - Yahoo Sports - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- Tour Championship: How much did Viktor Hovland, others earn at East Lake? - Yahoo Sports - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- The Daily Sweat: Cubs get chance to cut into streaking Brewers' NL Central lead - Yahoo Sports - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- NASCAR: Chris Buescher wins at Daytona after Ryan Preece's car flips at least 10 times in terrifying crash - Yahoo Sports - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- With college sports more in flux than ever before, new players association group emerges - Yahoo Sports - August 28th, 2023 [August 28th, 2023]
- NFL Hall of Fame Game: How to watch the 2023 NFL preseason opener - Yahoo Sports - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- 2023 NFL preseason: How to watch, full schedule, streaming info and more - Yahoo Sports - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- Reports: Colts considering placing Jonathan Taylor on NFI list, which could negate his 2023 salary - Yahoo Sports - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- Sources: Michigan's Jim Harbaugh, NCAA working toward 4-game suspension over recruiting investigation - Yahoo Sports - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- Oregon coach Dan Lanning slams Colorado after move to Big 12: I dont remember them winning anything - Yahoo Sports - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- As Bethenny Frankel calls for reality show performers to strike, 'Below Deck' star Captain Lee is only partly on board - Yahoo Entertainment - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- Ken Riley, Bengals' all-time INT leader, finally gets his flowers ... - Yahoo Sports - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- Broncos WR K.J. Hamler shares pericarditis diagnosis, will reportedly be waived with eye for return - Yahoo Sports - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- Sexist remarks from radio host enable Commanders to set tone that things are different after Dan Snyder - Yahoo Sports - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- Fantasy Football: What is the correct way to draft from these muddy NFL RB committees? - Yahoo Sports - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- Yahoo boys on rampage: The youth and Internet scam - Guardian Nigeria - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- NFL training camp tracker: WR Tim Patrick carted off at practice, Broncos fear Achilles injury - Yahoo Sports - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- Is winning the lottery all it's cracked up to be? - Yahoo News - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- Fantasy Football: How to avoid the most common draft mistakes in 2023 - Yahoo Sports - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- 2023 Hall of Fame: Don Coryell's offense changed the NFL, even if it didn't win a Super Bowl - Yahoo Sports - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- Giants' pass-catchers are wielding uncertainty to their advantage - Yahoo Sports - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- The USWNT diagnosed their biggest flaw in Dutch draw. Can they fix it? - Yahoo Sports - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- Julius Erving's all-time top 10 includes Tiny Archibald, no active players - Yahoo Sports - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- How to watch the Women's World Cup 2023: Full broadcast schedule, streaming info and more - Yahoo Sports - July 31st, 2023 [July 31st, 2023]
- 'Love Is Blind' star Deepti Vempati didn't talk about her eating disorder with family growing up: 'I used to live this double life' - Yahoo Life - March 4th, 2023 [March 4th, 2023]
- Ja Morant reportedly accused of repeatedly punching teenage boy in head, threatening him with gun last summer - Yahoo Sports - March 4th, 2023 [March 4th, 2023]
- Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant's trade requests were about seeking control, but also came at a cost for the NBA - Yahoo Sports - February 20th, 2023 [February 20th, 2023]
- 'Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey' director shares details from the 'unfilmable' first draft of his bonkers horror movie - Yahoo Entertainment - February 18th, 2023 [February 18th, 2023]
- My party of 2 spent $210 to decorate a Mickey Mouse cake at Disney World. It was worth it for the mimosas and desserts alone. - Yahoo Life - February 18th, 2023 [February 18th, 2023]
- Kevin Durant is lone man standing amid Nets mess, and it's time to hit reset before things get uglier - Yahoo Sports - February 7th, 2023 [February 7th, 2023]
- This golden retriever has 'cooked' more than 400 meals. Here's how the dog's human taught him patience in the kitchen. - Yahoo Life - February 7th, 2023 [February 7th, 2023]
- Eagles lineman Brandon Graham fined more than Trent Williams for unsportsmanlike conduct in NFC championship - Yahoo Sports - February 7th, 2023 [February 7th, 2023]
- NASCAR Clash at the Coliseum: Martin Truex Jr. wins chaotic main event ahead of Austin Dillon, Kyle Busch - Yahoo Sports - February 7th, 2023 [February 7th, 2023]
- Kyrie Irving's trade request is logical move to secure his basketball future. Now Nets need to protect theirs - Yahoo Sports - February 5th, 2023 [February 5th, 2023]
- A decade ago, Colin Kaepernick commanded the Super Bowl stage and helped change the QB prototype conversation - Yahoo Sports - February 5th, 2023 [February 5th, 2023]
- M. Night Shyamalan on the 'power' of Bruce Willis, the movie he bet his house on, and his one film people watch on their deathbeds - Yahoo... - February 5th, 2023 [February 5th, 2023]
- Debt limit: Social Security is a hot topic even as the GOP says its off the table - Yahoo Finance - February 5th, 2023 [February 5th, 2023]
- Pamela Anderson's financial woes detailed in new doc: 'On the most famous show in the world' but 'doesn't have a nest egg' - Yahoo Entertainment - February 5th, 2023 [February 5th, 2023]