Red Sox Free Agent Scenarios
With MLB free agency taking full effect now, along with some signings here and there, all eyes remain on Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani, regarded as a generational player, is the big name on every team’s list this year. Boston is in full effect to try and get the modern day Babe Ruth to Fenway Park, but if that fails we have some ideas for possible moves the Red Sox can make to improve the team.
Scenario 1: The Sox Sign Ohtani
The main goal from the front office this off season is to sign Shohei Ohtani. His deal will be for 12 years, 500 million dollars. If the Sox get Ohtani, this could be the only move we see from them besides trades. It suffices an instant need in a left handed bat for the team, but still leaves a hole for starting pitching in 2024 due to Ohtani needing Tommy John surgery. This deal sets up for long term success in 2-3 years for the team.
Scenario 2: Eduardo Rodriguez and Kevin Kiermaier
The Red Sox have three big holes they need to fill. Those are starting pitching, a left handed bat, and a more solid defense. This scenario fills all of these holes. Eduardo Rodriguez is an older starting pitcher that you can grab for 4 years 80 million dollars, while Kevin Kiermaier provides a left handed bat and a gold glove performance in the outfield for less than 30 million dollars. This deal is for instant success, and due to the last two years Craig Breslow might want to focus on making a winning team once again in Boston.
Scenario 3: Pitching, Pitching, and Pitching
The biggest problem with the Sox last season was the pitching, with a team ERA of 4.52 on the season. It is very difficult to win games if you are giving up almost 5 runs a game. The first target would be Jordan Montgomery for six years 140 million dollars. This gives the team a for sure ace in the rotation. Once again, another target would be Eduardo Rodriguez for 4 years 80 million dollars. The last piece would be a relief pitcher, and that person would be Hector Neris for 2 years 14 million dollars. This allows your offense to only put up 4 to 6 runs a game and still win. They hope to be involved in the Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes.
Scenario 4: Overpowering Offense
Sure, home runs are cool, but winning is better. The Red Sox could surprise the league by focusing on hitting in the off season. There are multiple speed demons and contact hitters in free agency this year. Examples are Whit Merrifield and Harrison Bader. You could sign a few of these guys to cheap three year deals, and then go get your big power hitter in Mitch Garver. The Red Sox could use an upgrade at catcher offensively and defensively, and Garver provides that for 3 years 40 million dollars.
The most logical fit would be scenario 2, signing Rodriguez and Kiermaier. This provides instant upgrades for relatively cheap deals. Those two deals also leave cap space to go get another pitcher or hitter, such as Mitch Garver or Hector Neris, and potentially both! However, the Sox will be focused on getting Ohtani to Boston, which by then could prove too late to get any of these other names out there. One thing for certain though is that Craig Breslow has some big moves planned for this 2024 Red Sox team.
Written by intern Bryson Akins
