5 bold predictions for the Boston Red Sox in 2024

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We got no food. We got no jobs. Our pets' heads are falling off! That essentially sums up the current state of the Boston Red Sox this offseason, and the overall morale of Red Sox Nation and fans everywhere.

Valentine's Day, the official report date for pitchers and catchers down in Fort Myers, is less than a month away, and after a lackluster offseason packed with uninspiring decisions from ownership and the front office, there are a lot of question marks and pessimism surrounding the direction of this team and their commitment to winning.

Despite the above, every year when the calendar flips to February, the weather starts to warm and the sound of gloves popping down in Florida and Arizona automatically ignites excitement for baseball and Red Sox fans alike. With that said, as we stare down the onset of a new season, which is coming whether you're indifferent about this team or not, here are five bold predictions for the 2024 Boston Red Sox that may get you a little more excited for the Boys of Summer to return to your TV set.

5 Bold Predictions for 2024 Boston Red Sox Season

5. Triston Casas hits 30 HR and drives in 90 RBI in 2024

If you're not on the Triston Casas bandwagon yet, I suggest you jump on. Casas was just ranked the 10th best first baseman in the majors, according to MLB Network, finished third in American League Rookie of the Year voting last year, and led the Red Sox in OPS (.856) and OBP (.367). Oh, and he's only 24. Casas has absolutely cemented himself as the Red Sox first baseman for many years to come, and should be the heart and soul of this lineup in 2024 -- and, yes, that includes a lineup with Rafael Devers in it. Casas himself had this to share on Twitter:

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Youngest opening day first base man for the Red Sox since 1967

Joined Ted Williams as the only Red Sox to record at least 25 HR and 75 walks in first 140 career games

3rd rookie to lead team in ops in franchise history (Lynn ‘75, Fisk ‘72)

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— Triston Casas (@mvptc37) January 16, 2024

Casas is poised and ready to build off his impressive rookie campaign and solidify himself as a household name in 2024.

4. 2024 will be Alex Cora's last year in Boston

Let me make it clear that I fully support Alex Cora, and have actually defended him for the majority of his tenure in Boston. I personally do not think Cora is the problem, or even part of it, for what it's worth. However, I don't foresee the Alex Cora Era of the Boston Red Sox surpassing 2024.

Fans are restless, the team lacks identity and a heartbeat, and ownership has shown just in the last two months that transactions, spending, and big-splash signings aren't on the horizon. So, what's left? A change at the helm. Whether you like Cora or you don't, I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if a press conference welcoming a new skipper happened over the next 365 days.

Boston Red Sox v Baltimore Orioles / Brandon Sloter/GettyImages

3. Roman Anthony is here

Yep, I said it, Roman Anthony debuts in 2024 at the big-league level. In terms of prospect debuts, the trio of Marcelo Mayer, Kyle Teel, and Roman Anthony sit right at the top of discussions on who will enter 'the Bigs' first. For me, it's Anthony.

Anthony rose all the way to Double-A Portland in his first pro season, and in 10 games slashed .343/.477/.543 with an OPS of 1.020. In 35 at-bats, he hit four doubles and drove in eight runs while putting one over the fence. A small sample size, sure, and he has only 126 games of professional baseball on his resume, but if any of the Red Sox prospects get the call in 2024, I expect it to be Anthony.

2. 2024 Red Sox ACE? Not Brayan Bello

Probably an unpopular opinion here, but I don't think Brayan Bello holds the title of the "ace" of this underwhelming rotation in 2024.

Stick with me here, but I predict Nick Pivetta rising above Bello and even Giolito as "the guy" in this 2024 Red Sox rotation.

A year after he was literally demoted to the bullpen? Yes. Anyone who followed the team closely in 2023 could see how invaluable Pivetta was to the pitching staff. Here's something you probably didn't know: Nick Pivetta led the Red Sox in strikeouts and came in second in innings pitched in 2023, as The Athletic recently noted. Let the guy have a shaky first half. 'Nicky Punches' is going to be a pain for opposing hitters in 2024.

1. The Red Sox will be playing postseason baseball in 2024

Okay - now I know I've for sure lost you. Hear me out. I know this was not the offseason anyone expected and this team has finished last in the division in consecutive seasons and essentially nothing has changed. Oh, and the team lost Alex Verdugo. What possibly makes me think this team will be playing in the postseason? I know the rotation isn't exactly "fear-inducing" with Giolito, Bello, Pivetta, Garrett Whitlock, and Kutter Crawford, but there are an awful lot of strikeouts and meaningful innings attached to those five names.

The bullpen seems fine to me. Chris Martin, John Schreiber, Josh Winckowski, Brennan Bernardino, Tanner Houck...same story, whether or not Kenley Jansen is retained. On the offensive side, Casas, Devers, Pablo Reyes, a healthy Trevor Story, Masataka Yoshida, Wilyer Abreu, Tyler O'Neill, Jarren Duran. That is a sound lineup, whether we want to admit it or not. Production up and down the starting nine, power, speed, runs, and tenacity. That is absolutely a roster that could find its way into October someway, somehow.

There still is plenty to be excited about and special moments to anticipate in 2024, and I can't wait for the ways in which this team will surprise us in the upcoming 162.

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