Three Burning Red Sox Questions Entering 2024 Winter Meetings

The Boston Red Sox head to the MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas with a world of possibilities in their pursuit to add legitimate talent and improve the roster for 2025 and beyond.

There are several stars in free agency and capable players available for trade. Boston missed the postseason in each of the last three years. It’s time for the Red Sox to make the proper moves to ensure that streak ends next season.

How can Boston do that this week in the Lone Star State? Here are three burning questions entering the week for the Red Sox.

1. Where Will Boston Pivot After Juan Soto’s Decision?
The Soto sweepstakes dominated the headlines to this point of the offseason. Now the question becomes, how do the Red Sox reprioritize?

The Red Sox appeared to be in the thick of the race with the New York Mets and the New York Yankees. The Mets ultimately won that race with a reported historic deal for Soto to the tune of 15 years and $765 million.

Moves could be made Monday, especially with teams getting aggressive with Soto off the board.

2. Who Will Boston Pursue As An Ace?
The Red Sox have always needed a top starting pitcher more than any other position this winter. The foundation is there in the rotation with Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford and Lucas Giolito.

That group can compete and now needs a leader at the top.

Could that be Corbin Burnes? Could that be Max Fried? Or could the Red Sox turn to their other assets to pull off a blockbuster trade for an elite starting pitcher?

3. Can The Red Sox Balance The Lineup With Right-Handed Power?
The Red Sox in 2024 posted a top-10 offense for the seventh consecutive season. There’s plenty of talent with hitters such as Jarren Duran, Rafael Devers, Triston Casas and Wilyer Abreu.

The one flaw in that group is how left-handed Boston is. The lineup really needs a right-handed bat, particularly one of impact that could hit in the No. 3 spot to balance the lineup.

Tyler O’Neill already departed for the Baltimore Orioles and the franchise should face some added competition for another run at Teoscar Hernández. Boston also found itself in rumors surrounding a trade for Nolan Arenado, so the front office has several avenues to investigate this week.