The Boston Red Sox haven’t fulfilled the promises they made entering the offseason. Despite making several moves to improve their pitching, the Sox haven’t fully committed to becoming a top-tier team, and now they’re being called out for it.
ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan is the most recent critic of Boston’s frugality this offseason. He stated, “The Red Sox need to stop acting like a team with the 13th-highest payroll in MLB and start acting like the Boston Red Sox.”
Constructive criticism isn’t always easy to hear, but Passan said exactly what Red Sox fans have been thinking for years.
Instead of going all-in on lucrative free agents such as Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell, and Max Fried, the Sox have settled for economic opportunities on the lower end of potential reward. Between Walker Buehler, Patrick Sandoval, Aroldis Chapman, and Justin Wilson, the Sox have only spent $52.3 million on free agents for next year, ranking eleventh-highest in the league according to MLB Trade Rumors. If they don’t sign any more free agents, they will be ranked tenth-highest in MLB with a payroll of $144,244847.
MLB insider Jeff Passan roasts the Red Sox for their refusal to spend on top-tier talent
.@JeffPassan on the Red Sox offseason: pic.twitter.com/nQSvYW0s1i
— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) January 6, 2025
Although Forbes ranked the Sox the third most valuable MLB franchise last year, Boston hasn’t acted like an expensive team. It’s been four years since the Red Sox have been a top-five payroll team, even with Trevor Story and Rafael Devers’ lengthy deals. Since 2020, they have shied away from breaking the $200 million mark.
Buying wins is the name of the game in baseball. As much as Moneyball and sabermetrics have attempted to level the playing field in what it takes to win in baseball, money usually speaks louder than statistics. Of the last 10 World Series winners, half of them have fifth or higher in payroll. Seven winners ranked tenth or higher.
Being cheap won’t do the Sox any favors. As salaries boom and players demand bigger contracts, the stakes for winning skyrocket. Boston will quickly fall behind the rival Yankees if owner John Henry doesn't pull out his checkbook and start acting like he's paying to win and not just stay in the race.
There’s still time left for the Sox to sign high-value free agents, but the clock is ticking. Passan and many others call for the Sox to sign star third baseman Alex Bregman, but John Denton of MLB.com has reported that the Sox may trade for the Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado instead. Regardless of who they sign, the Sox should take Passan’s advice and indulge in a final righty bat to add to complete their lineup.