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A Red Sox perspective at their rival’s offseason moves

FT. MYERS, FL - MARCH 8: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox talks with Josh Donaldson #24 of the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of a Grapefruit League game on March 8, 2020 at jetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
FT. MYERS, FL - MARCH 8: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox talks with Josh Donaldson #24 of the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of a Grapefruit League game on March 8, 2020 at jetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 22: Kyle Schwarber #18 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after striking out against the Houston Astros during the third inning in Game Six of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 22, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 22: Kyle Schwarber #18 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after striking out against the Houston Astros during the third inning in Game Six of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 22, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Other MLB offseason thoughts

  • I’m not going to lie: I really wanted Kyle Schwarber back. I thought his patience and light-tower, all-fields power would be a great fit in the Red Sox lineup, just as he was last season. The contract he got from the Phillies was far from unreasonable. At least he’s out of the AL East.
  • There was a world where Kris Bryant signed with the Red Sox and smacked balls all over the monster while providing adequate defense at all four corner positions. That world is not one where he would require a $182 million contract, which is what he got from the Rockies.
  • The idea of Freddie Freeman with the Red Sox was always better than the logistics. With Bobby Dalbec having a strong second half and Tristan Casas on his way, it didn’t make sense for the Red Sox to commit long-term to a guy who could only play first base. There may have been a way they could have made it work because, well, it’s Freddie Freeman, but the money is better spent elsewhere.
  • I don’t think the Red Sox will get in on the Frankie Montas/Sean Manaea sweepstakes. As I wrote in my last article, both would be good fits to substitute for Chris Sale, but the Red Sox would have to get into a prospect bidding war with several other clubs, and I don’t think they have the capital to do that.
  • There is no excuse for the Red Sox not to have made a significant effort for Kenley Jansen. As I’ve written many times, they can not expect to compete with the AL powers without a true closer. A one year/$17 million is a ridiculously small commitment, and it’s mind-blowing that the Red Sox did not match or exceed the Braves’ offer.
  • I was never a fan of the Carlos Correa-Red Sox fit. There was just no real need for that kind of long-term financial commitment with Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers in the present and Marcelo Mayer, Nick Yorke, Jeter Downs, and Blaze Jordan in the future. However, when I saw the short-term, low-risk deal he got with the Astros, my initial reaction was “Wow, the Red Sox couldn’t have done that?”
  • In his beginning-of-spring press conference, Chaim Bloom mentioned his desire to add a right-handed power bat. No player fits that mold more than Nick Castellanos, who is coming off a career year in 2021. It was truly baffling that the Red Sox appeared to not even make an effort for him, who ended up signing a very reasonable contract with the Phillies.
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