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Red Sox Offseason Checklist: Priorities, extensions, free agency

By Bryce Johnson

BOSTON, MA - JULY 27: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the top of the of the ninth inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park on July 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JULY 27: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the top of the of the ninth inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park on July 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 12: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 12, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 12: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 12, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Start talking contract extensions- Pitchers

The Red Sox have several core players set to hit the free agent market come 2019.

Chris Sale is the first person the Red Sox should look to resign. Sale is currently signed to a very team friendly contract that paid him just $12,500,000 this season and that will rise to just $15 million next season assuming the Red Sox pick up his team option that they would be crazy to not pick up.

Sale will certainly get paid handsomely but the Red Sox have the chance to strike early and sign him to an extension before he hits the open market. Boston needs to make this happen and should open up discussions with Sale sooner rather than later.

Rick Porcello is the other pitcher the Red Sox should consider talking to. Porcello has been so valuable for the Red Sox both on the mound and in the clubhouse. The 2016 AL Cy Young may not rack up the strikeouts or do anything flashy but what he does do is he goes out there every fifth day and performs.

He will likely not get an offer similar to the four-year, $82.5 million offer the Red Sox signed him to in 2015 but I could see Boston offering him a two or three-year contract with an average annual value around the $15 million mark.

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