After several years of decreased spending, the Boston Red Sox are reportedly expected to be in talks with Major League Baseball’s top free agent.
Following the 2023 season, which saw the termination of Boston’s then-Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom, the Red Sox were expected to be active participants in the offseason. After hiring Craig Breslow to take over CBO duties, Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner emphatically declared that the team was going “full throttle” in their offseason acquisitions. That, however, would not be the case.
The largest contract the Red Sox handed out that offseason was a two-year $38.5 million contract to righty Lucas Giolito, who did not pitch a single inning in 2024 following an elbow injury in spring training.
This year, the Red Sox are once again expected to have an active role in free agency, perhaps now with more urgency. Just two days into MLB free agency, the Red Sox have been tied to baseball’s most sought-after free agent, 26-year-old outfielder Juan Soto.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 28: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees reacts after grounding out against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning during Game Three of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 28, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City.
Alex Slitz/Getty Images
“Big-market teams like the Giants, Blue Jays and Red Sox are expected to check in, and word shockingly is two small-market teams already have,” Jon Heyman of the New York Post wrote on Thursday. “Some are selling Soto on being their franchise guy as compared to with the Yankees, where it’ll be Judge’s team foreseeably, or the Dodgers. … But there’s no belief this matters to Soto.”
Although the Red Sox find themselves among a long list of potential landing spots for Soto, the fact that they are mentioned among the initial suitors is significant. Many believe the Red Sox’ time to invest is now, as their handful of top prospects are on the verge of getting their major league call-up.
This week in a Reddit AMA, Boston Globe reporter Alex Speier gave a bold prediction on the team’s offseason plans, saying, “the team’s urgency is such that I’d expect there to be a $100M+ deal this winter.”
Soto, and the massive nine-figure contract he is expected to fetch, would immediately erase the narrative that Red Sox ownership is unwilling to spend. Only time will tell if their talks evolve into a legitimate offer.
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