The Boston Red Sox haven't been involved in many prominent free agent races since 2019. The team seems to be taking a different path this offseason.
Red Sox staff has been vocal about the team's need to compete in 2025. Boston's reported interest in Juan Soto and multiple top-tier pitchers like Corbin Burnes, Max Fried and Blake Snell reinforce the front office's statements.
But the Red Sox have "shown interest" in elite free agent and trade candidates before with no action or followed by an underwhelming bid. Fans have grown increasingly upset with the team's lack of spending, and the disillusionment has led to a drop in the Sox's TV ratings and plenty of empty seats at Fenway Park.
The front office has concluded that now is the time to act, and recent statements from Red Sox manager Alex Cora could suggest big moves are finally coming back in Boston.
Recent comments from Alex Cora could foreshadow big moves for Red Sox this offseason
“We have a plan in place. We know there’s certain aspects of the roster that we have to improve. I think we’re going to be very aggressive on that," Cora said to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.
“I truly believe what we talked about — I can’t talk for Scott and what the industry’s saying — but what we said the last time we were together at Fenway. We were very honest and I think we’re going to execute.”
Cotillo spoke with Cora shortly after Boston's "productive" three-hour meeting with Soto and his agent Boras, who also represents dozens of other top free agents in the market this winter. Soto is likely to be one of the highest-paid players of all time when his stint in free agency ends, so the Red Sox's odds of signing him may not be great, even with their best efforts.
Alex Cora today after an event at BC:
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) November 16, 2024
“We have a plan in place. We know there’s certain aspects of the roster that we have to improve. I think we’re going to be very aggressive on that.” https://t.co/myth1wWVjd
Cora's comments still bode well for some of Boston's other targets. Burnes, Fried, Snell, Jack Flaherty and potential trade target Garrett Crochet would all be pricey additions to the pitching staff, but for the Red Sox to "execute," as Cora said, they'll need to bring at least one of them in.
Boston hasn't signed anyone to prove it's changed its ways yet, and there's a lot of offseason left before such a signing could occur. Stars like Soto and Burnes usually take their time to field the best possible offer from their future team before signing a deal. Jordan Montgomery, one of last season's biggest free agents, didn't sign until two days before Opening Day, giving the front office plenty of time to change its messaging again, like last winter's "full throttle" drama.
But if it were up to Cora, the time to spend would be now. Craig Breslow and Sam Kennedy echoed that same sentiment at the Red Sox's end-of-season press conference, and Red Sox fans have said it for years.
Red Sox Nation can only hope the front office follows through this time — or that ownership will allow it.