For Boston Red Sox fans, the end of 2022 was a rollercoaster ride. Though the team strengthened its bullpen and signed outfielder Masataka Yoshida, fans also watched franchise cornerstone Xander Bogaerts leave in free agency after bungled negotiations.
As 2023 starts, New Englanders are bracing themselves for the annual stretch of perpetual darkness between New Year and the start of spring training. As we pass through the armpit of the year, Red Sox Nation should remain optimistic that the team can make significant additions to the team in the coming months. In fact, history has shown that multiple significant players joined the Red Sox in the month of January. The following are the Top 5 players acquired by the Red Sox in January in the last 20 years.
5. Miguel Bleis ,1/15/21
It might be sacrilegious to put a player in the lower levels of the Minor Leagues in the company of the others on this list. This demonstrates how highly the 18-year-old Bleis is regarded as a prospect. He may be the most intriguing prospect in a Red Sox Minor League system that ranked 11th in baseball by Baseball America (subscription required) in 2022.
He is a legitimate 5-tool player that has fans and scouts raving. Since signing in January 2021, Bleis has soared on the field and in prospect rankings leading Jim Callis of MLB.com to call him the best Red Sox international prospect since Rafael Devers. Some feel his potential has made him untouchable in trade discussions. It will be fun for Red Sox fans to follow Bleis’ ascent through the system.
In addition to Bleis, the Red Sox have made a flurry of international signings in January over the last several years. Fans should keep a close eye on these international signings in the coming months as the Red Sox try to find the next Bleis or Devers. At the very least, these signings will strengthen the farm system to help with future trades.