Four Bold Predictions For Red Sox’s Critically Important Offseason
The Boston Red Sox proved two things this season: The young core is nearly ready for contention but major weaknesses need to be addressed.
Boston finished 81-81, good for third place in the American League East, and missed the postseason for the third straight season. That's not the standard in Boston. If the Red Sox hope to change their fate in 2025, an aggressive offseason has to be in store this winter.
The 2024 campaign showed Boston's clear needs that separated it from playoff-caliber ballclubs. Luckily for the Red Sox, they have the assets needed to make proper changes and acquire legitimate talent to spark a run in 2025.
It's only October. The playoffs just started for the teams in the mix. That doesn't mean the Red Sox shouldn't be thinking about legitimate upgrades across the board to contend with a dominant team in 2025.
With that, here are four bold predictions for the Red Sox offseason.
1. Boston Trades For A No. 1 Starting Pitcher
Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford all progressed well in their own ways in 2024 while making 30 starts each for the first time in their careers.
That's great news for the Red Sox. It's still not enough.
Lucas Giolito, in all likelihood, will make his Red Sox debut after missing the entire 2024 season. Pitchers such as Richard Fitts, Quinn Priester and eventually Hunter Dobbins give Boston the depth the team needed for years with a revamped pitching program. The only problem is the club still needs an ace.
The Red Sox need to be able to give the ball to a bonafide No. 1 as they did with each great core of this century. Names like Pedro Martinez, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Chris Sale are a few who come to mind.
Now, free agency likely won't be advantageous for the Red Sox. Corbin Burnes and Max Fried headline the market and don't totally fit the production of the price range they'll command. Instead, the time to strike with a wealth of resources is now.
The Seattle Mariners moved past any deals last offseason with Boston. The Red Sox should absolutely try to pry from Seattle’s strong rotation, which includes Logan Gilbert and George Kirby. Seattle needs young offense and Boston can provide it.
2. Right-Handed Power Comes From External Signing As Designated Hitter
Alex Cora and Craig Breslow want the Red Sox to play to their home ballpark and benefit from right-handed power bats at Fenway Park.
Trevor Story missed the majority of the 2024 season, leaving Tyler O'Neill, Ceddanne Rafaela and Connor Wong as the only consistent right-handed hitters in the lineup. O'Neill did pop 31 home runs before heading to free agency. The current and future variations of the Red Sox lineups are left-handed dominant, so Boston needs a right-handed thumper to break that up.
The Red Sox can be versatile moving players in spots and ultimately making future roster decisions this winter. Designated hitter appears to be a prime spot to place right-handed power. An O'Neill reunion would be a start. On the free agent market, Marcell Ozuna and Teoscar Hernández seem logical. What about trading for Oakland (for now) Athletics All-Star Brent Rooker, who can find a home defensively as well?
Options are endless.
more red sox
3. Boston Fills Second Base, Closer Roles Internally
Kenley Jansen heads to free agency after two solid years as Boston's closer, which provided necessary stability at the back end of the bullpen.
The Red Sox still haven't found a stable second baseman to replace Dustin Pedroia and it's been over seven years. Luckily, those players are already in house to answer both of these current questions.
Kristian Campbell absolutely tore up the minor leagues in his meteoric rise through the Red Sox farm system. He jumped three levels and reached Triple-A Worcester. He's the dream for the current roster: a right-handed bat with developing power and defensive versatility. When the Red Sox open the 2025 season against the Rangers, Campbell should start at second base.
Boston also has a fellow All-Star closer ready to go. Liam Hendriks nearly returned to end the season following Tommy John surgery late in 2023. He's established as a shutdown ninth-inning guy who can return to dominance. Justin Slaten has elite stuff for the Red Sox, but Hendriks makes sense to follow Jansen.
4. Red Sox Sign Shane Bieber And Tanner Scott
Finally, some specific predictions!
The Red Sox need arms badly to lead their improved pitchers who stepped up in 2024.
Shane Bieber has a Cy Young award on his resume after a standout run with the Cleveland Guardians. Injuries slowed him down in recent years, so this could be a similar deal to the Giolito signing in terms of trusting Andrew Bailey and company to restore a top starter to form.
The Red Sox also need filthy, swing-and-miss relievers in the bullpen. Adding a lefty wouldn't hurt, either. That's exactly what Tanner Scott provides.
The 2024 All-Star posted a 1.75 ERA across 72 appearances for the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres while striking out 10.5 batters per nine innings.
These two fill needs for the Red Sox.