4 Red Sox who are fighting for their futures heading into 2024
The Boston Red Sox have been in the throes of a rebuild for what feels like years. The future of the organization is unclear at this time, as the Sox have very few long-term contracts on the books.
Boston's current plan is to wait for the next round of prospects to reach the bigs before making too many commitments to current players or outside help. And the Red Sox have a lot of talent approaching MLB-readiness, waiting for their shot to crack the majors, which brings uncertainty for a fair few players on the current roster.
But there are more reasons some Red Sox's futures with the club may be in jeopardy, from expiring contracts to failures to meet expectations.
The front office's recent decisions have been inexplicable. Even playing well for the Red Sox won't guarantee a contract extension or reunion in recent years — just look at Justin Turner. But quality performance is probably the best way to keep management interested, and this list of current Red Sox would benefit from a great season if they hope to stay with the organization.
4 Red Sox who are fighting for their futures heading into 2024
Alex Cora
Red Sox manager Alex Cora's contract is quickly ticking toward its expiration. At the end of this season, Cora could either re-sign as Boston's manager, manage elsewhere or move on from managing to a different career in baseball.
The skipper has been reluctant to discuss his expiring contract with reporters and there is little knowledge about Cora's personal desires for the next season. He has told reporters that he has no current plans to put his house in Newton, MA up for sale, though, which might mean he hopes to stay in Boston.
Many reporters have theorized that Cora's fate rests with the fate of the 2024 team — if the Red Sox manage to compete in the AL East this year, Cora may be in for an extension. If they don't, despite the quality of the team not being his fault, Cora may well be on his way out.
Trevor Story
The Red Sox signed Trevor Story shortly before Opening Day 2022 and he was billed as a great defender and a powerful right-handed bat to bolster the batting order. Needless to say, he hasn't matched up to his Colorado Rockies production with the Red Sox. Story has played just 137 games in his two-year tenure with Boston after multiple injuries have sidelined him for prolonged periods.
In the games he has played, Story's defense has met expectations among a struggling infield. He's a bright spot in an error-prone roster — Story logged eight outs above average at shortstop last season. But his bat doesn't measure up. In his two short seasons with the Sox, he's batting just .227/.287/.398. He strikes out a lot and doesn't walk much, either.
The Sox signed Story to a six-year, $140 million deal, which is far from cheap for the current Red Sox who are reluctant to spend. If Story can't match up for yet another year, he'd be a great candidate for a trade at the deadline. Boston could fetch a good return for him and it would get his high salary off the books.
Hopefully, Story can have the breakout year his coaches and reporters have predicted he'll have. He needs it if he hopes to remain on the Red Sox for much longer.
Bobby Dalbec
Red Sox Nation saw this one coming a mile away.
Bobby Dalbec was drafted by the Red Sox in 2016 and he's spent the vast majority of the past seven years in the minors. Dalbec is entering his age-29 season and has played just 294 games for the Sox over four years.
Dalbec played 133 games with the Red Sox in 2021 and played throughout their ALCS run. He batted .240/.298/.494 and hit 25 home runs. Dalbec's major-league playing time decreased to 117 games in 2022 and down to 21 games in 2023.
Unfortunately for Dalbec, Boston's farm system is loaded with young infield talent, and the Sox knew they had a better first baseman coming up in Triston Casas. Dalbec's defensive talents are better suited to corner infield slots and the Red Sox already have Rafael Devers playing third every day. Only this year did Boston start working to improve Dalbec's defensive versatility and he's been practicing in the outfield lately. But the Red Sox have talented defenders such as Ceddanne Rafaela and Tyler O'Neill to play there. There's no great place for Dalbec to play in Boston unless he serves as a bench player for Casas and Devers' days off.
Boston could've — and should've — capitalized on a trade involving Dalbec much earlier than now. His peak value to another major league club has likely passed unless he can put on a real show this year.
Nick Pivetta
Nick Pivetta is coming off a great season out of the Red Sox bullpen. He's entering the final year of his contract with Boston under a different set of responsibilities — in the wake of Lucas Giolito's season-ending surgery and the lack of pitchers signed this offseason, Pivetta is likely going to be the Red Sox's No. 2 starter.
Pivetta's entrances from the bullpen were far more successful than his starts last season. In his first eight starts before being transitioned out of the rotation, Pivetta logged a 6.30 ERA over 40 innings. After he was moved, he was lights out, and he posted a 1.98 ERA in 41 innings over 17 relief appearances. He even secured a Red Sox record for the most strikeouts posted in a single relief outing after he fanned 13 batters on July 17, 2023, in Oakland.
If Pivetta is hoping to be extended and continue his career with the Red Sox, he'll have to sort out his starting pitching woes. His Grapefruit League performances haven't reflected his success from last year, and Boston needs him to play his best as one of the more experienced pitchers in its rotation.
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