3 veteran clubhouse influences the Red Sox need to sign for 2024

The Red Sox have made it clear that they are not looking to compete this year — they'd rather wait for top prospects to rise through the minor league ranks.

To their credit, or Chaim Bloom's, the farm is loaded right now with five players in Keith Law's top 100 prospects list. As it stands now, Boston has quality farm talent, and enough to make a significant impact in the coming years.

Despite lackluster performance in 2023, as well as the removal of a veteran presence with postseason experience like Chris Sale, the Red Sox refuse to add to the roster beyond Lucas Giolito or lower-tier free agents.

Boston has benefited from a consistent stream of veteran leadership, which has undoubtedly contributed to four championships since the turn of the century. Starting with Pedro Martinez, then David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia, followed by Xander Bogaerts. Last year, it was Justin Turner and Sale, but now the situation is less clear.

There are plenty of veteran options who can not only contribute on the field but also make an even bigger impact off it.

Three veteran clubhouse influences the Red Sox need to sign for 2024

Jordan Montgomery - LHP

Jordan Montgomery is practically on Fenway's doorstep, pleading to be a member of Boston's team. Yet because he desires a long contract, he's been left on the outside. For a guy who is a solid veteran presence who can immediately alleviate the pressure on Bryan Bello to be an ace and has a postseason ERA of 2.63, Montgomery would be a welcome addition to a team in a transitional phase of its roster.

Every team needs its rock. It doesn't always have to be the best player, but someone who takes the clubhouse by the reins and stabilizes things out. Someone who teaches the rookies how to be professionals, and when the postseason arrives, someone who has been there before and knows how to handle the added pressure.

If the team expects to compete, they need to have a stable foundation for guys like Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony, and Kyle Teel to build off of. Currently, that position is vacant but could easily be filled should the front office spend the money to make it happen. Montgomery is the preferred option with his likelihood to contribute in a real way to help this team make a playoff push.

Joey Votto - 1B/DH

Joey Votto is an all-time great at first base. While he likely wouldn't see much on-field time due to Triston Casas' presence, Casas' potential alone should be an incentive to sign Votto.

Few other first basemen could serve as a mentor to Casas as well as Votto could. He is beloved by both players and fans alike. Despite being a slightly below-league-average hitter last season with a wRC+ of 98, Votto could serve as a valuable fill-in when Casas needs rest.

At this point, many Sox fans are off the Bobby Dalbec train and would prefer to acquire someone who can help develop for the future, which aligns with Craig Breslow's emphasis on development following the "full throttle" fiasco.

Votto could cost very little, with Spotrac expecting him to garner around a $5.5 million contract, which is right around what Evan Longoria is making with the Diamondbacks. Corbin Carroll has credited Longoria as a key contributor to his Rookie of the Year campaign, and Votto could do the same for Casas, as well as any other minor leaguers who make their way up to Fenway in 2024.

Leadership is the key to creating a playoff roster. Everyone in baseball has the same ultimate goal — to win a ring. It is the long, 162-game road to get there that will separate the good teams from the great ones. And the great ones have clear voices that rise above the rest in the clubhouse to help the team get where it needs to be.

Once the clubhouse becomes selfish, things fall apart. When things fall apart, you need the guys who've been through tough times to pick people up and get the club back on track. Votto found his 2023 playing time crammed with all of the youth the Reds were moving up into the bigs, but he accepted his new role and helped them remain in contention until the final week of the season.

Boston needs a leader. Dealing with heightened expectations and intense media scrutiny is unfamiliar to guys who have never been in the big leagues or the postseason before. Red Sox Nation saw the impact Turner had on Jaren Duran as he began to mature and become a fantastic option out in center field.

Sure, the flashy, expensive free-agent options are always fun to watch, but if waiting for the farm system is the route the front office is going to pursue, they need their glue guy. Votto, Montgomery or Martinez could help the Sox win now and lay the groundwork for the long term.

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