Red Sox offseason feels more like Silent Night than New Year’s Eve

The Boston Red Sox need to make some serious moves this winter and as the calendar is about to turn 2020, the fireworks have yet to go off.

Red Sox Nation knew this winter wasn’t going to bring the big-cash signings that we’ve come accustomed to seeing in Boston, but it shouldn’t be this quiet. Never once did I think that Chaim Bloom was going to be a shark in the free-agent market, but I did hope that he would possibly be throwing some chum into the water.

The mission this offseason for the Red Sox was to cut payroll and move some bad contracts off the books. As we move past Christmas and cruise into New Year’s the phone seemingly hasn’t been ringing.

Just over a year removed from winning the World Series and it feels as if the Boston roster is untouchable. Granted, that may be incredibly dramatic, but it’s hard to deny considering the multiple rumors/reports that have gone by the wayside.

It felt like Bloom was close to getting David Price‘s contract off the books and then the potential teams went and signed other players. Just days after being linked with the Blue Jays, Toronto went and signed free-agent Hyun-Jin Ryu. Thus removing a possible suitor for the veteran southpaw while leaving Boston without a new home for Price.

Alas, there’s still time left on the calendar and always the chance that another team may get desperate and make a deal that Boston can’t refuse. There are other players on the roster that have been dangled by Bloom as trade bait, but the sharks have yet to smell the blood. Jackie Bradley Jr. has been a constant on the trade rumor market but nobody has decided to take on the Jekyll & Hyde centerfielder.

There have been a few signings as of late with the claiming of Chris Mazza off waivers, former prospect Nick Longhi and a few others to minor league deals. Not exactly the fireworks that we’re used to from the Red Sox by this point of the offseason.

The CBT looms heavy over the head of Bloom and if he wants to keep his new bosses happy then he’s going to have to hit that $208M marker. If he wants to make that happen then he has to continue making these small signings and has to pray for some trades to happen.

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If Bloom wants to keep the Fenway Faithful at bay then he’ll need to start making some moves. As more pitchers begin to find their new homes then the desire for Price may increase. The same can be said for any number of the players that the Red Sox have flirted with shipping off this offseason. It’s hard to see any fireworks coming from the free-agent market, so this is the one and only way to get a show this winter.

I’ve been preparing myself for a dismal season as 2020 gets closer and with how 2019 went, my thought process may not be far off. Chaim Bloom was brought into the organization for a reason and he’s doing what he’s best at. He’s building a team using very little money in order to field a cohesive unit that can win on the field.

This is the second offseason where the Red Sox have been damn near inactive when it comes to offseason activity. Last winter we were treated to the extensions that were given to Chris Sale and Xander Bogaerts, but also saw Craig Kimbrel and Joe Kelly head off to other shores. The massive spending is what got Boston into the financial headache they find themselves in right now so it had to come to an end eventually.

Winter is far from over and a fresh start in 2020 could bring those fireworks that Red Sox Nation is in dire need of. Chaim Bloom is fantastic at his job and is more than capable of building a winning squad with tight restrictions, and that’s just what he’ll do in Boston. It may have been a Silent Night at Fenway Park on Christmas but New Year’s Eve may bring in the fireworks to set off a new season.