This is supposed to be the ‘most wonderful time of the year,’ but it certainly doesn’t feel like it in Red Sox Nation.
It’s more like how the Grinch thought the Whos down in Whoville would react when he stole Christmas.
The Red Sox have a lot to do this offseason if they want to field an unembarrassing team and not totally alienate their disenchanted fan base. Pedro Martinez, their greatest pitcher and current advisor, has a few ideas.
Here’s who and what are on Pedro’s list this year. Chaim Bloom should check it twice…
1. Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers
Martinez has been vocal about how important it is for the Sox to lock in Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers long-term, warning of incalculable detriment to the clubhouse culture and how breaking the chain of championship players started by himself and David Ortiz would impact the organization’s future.
Ahead of Thanksgiving, he reiterated that Bogaerts and Devers should be the top priority:
"“I’m definitely looking forward to improving the team. Hopefully, we can get those guys signed, like Bogey [Xander Bogaerts] and [Rafael] Devers and everybody.”via MLB.com"
2. A ‘top-notch’ starting pitcher
No one knows how crucial dominant starting pitching is to a team’s collective success like a former starting pitcher. The best Boston seasons were made by pitching – Pedro included – and the most promising years have fallen flat due to the absence of reliable arms, like 2019.
The Hall of Fame righty thinks the Sox need a new righty in their rotation, which shouldn’t come as a surprise now that Nathan Eovaldi and Michael Wacha are free agents:
"“Hopefully the Red Sox will get some more pitching; a top-notch, right-handed starting pitcher. I can only ask and dream.”"
What’s notable about this request is that the 2023 roster is currently much heavier on RHP. Nick Pivetta is a righty, as are possible starters Brayan Bello, Garrett Whitlock, Tanner Houck, and Kutter Crawford. And Chris Sale and James Paxton, the only two southpaw starters on the roster, are bigger question marks and injury risks than all of the righty options put together.
3. More bullpen ‘help’
The Sox just signed Joely Rodriguez to a one-year ‘prove it’ deal full of incentives, but they also didn’t non-tender Ryan Brasier, so fans don’t feel encouraged about the bullpen.
If the Sox are moving Whitlock – and possibly Houck – to the rotation, bullpen help is even more important than it was already. Matt Strahm became a free agent, so that leaves mop-up king John Schreiber, newbies Zack Kelly, Franklin German, and Kaleb Ort, and a host of unreliables: Brasier, Matt Barnes, Josh Taylor, and Darwinzon Hernandez.
4. Good health
This isn’t really something the Sox can plan for, but after the way 2022 shook out, it makes sense that Martinez has health on the mind. At the very least, the Sox can avoid signing or trading for especially injury-prone players.
Do you know who’s consistently healthy and always playing? Xander Bogaerts.
5. A competitive team
"“We should have a competitive team out there and a team that could go from last to first. We have done it before. Don’t lose your faith.”"
This one’s on every Red Sox fan’s wish list, but wishes don’t always come true.
It’s hard to see the Sox being remotely competitive next year, though the offseason is only a month old. There’s time for the Sox to shock the world, and they’ve certainly done it before. But past precedent doesn’t inspire confidence.
Boston Red Sox offseason news, rumors, 2023 payroll, luxury tax, and more
Everything you need to know about the Red Sox 2022-2023 offseason! Payrolls, arbitration, free agents, transactions, luxury tax, payroll, rumors, and more.