The Boston Red Sox put the final nail in their postseason coffin Wednesday with a loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, officially ending a profoundly disappointing season that will see them miss the playoffs for the third straight year – something they haven't done in three decades.
Even though Boston missed the playoffs in 2022 and 2023, this year somehow feels worse. Unlike the teams from the previous two seasons, the 2024 Red Sox actually had a legitimate shot at playing in October. But they threw that shot away, and they have no one to blame but themselves.
After this latest gut-punch of a season, it's clear that changes will need to be made in when November arrives.
Appearing on WEEI's Greg Hill Show Thursday morning, first-year Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow shared some insight into what he views as the Red Sox's greatest areas of need.
For the last time this season, Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer, Craig Breslow, joins!
— The Greg Hill Show (@TheGregHillShow) September 26, 2024
With Red Sox officially eliminated from contention, did this Sox team exceed expectations? Thoughts? @WEEI #MLB @FoxwoodsCT @EchoStor pic.twitter.com/7fUz8lU4cL
Unsurprisingly, starting pitching was at the top of Breslow's list. He has already caught plenty of heat for his offseason trade of Chris Sale, who is now the National League Cy Young Award frontrunner for the Atlanta Braves.
As if that wasn't bad enough, Breslow's attempt to shore up Boston's injury-depleted starting rotation at the trade deadline this year went horribly wrong when the club traded for recently-DFA'd veteran southpaw James Paxton and got just three starts out of him before he went down with a partially torn calf ... and promptly announced his retirement following the 2024 season.
Craig Breslow has a plan for the Red Sox this offseason, but now he needs to execute it
Identifying the Red Sox's greatest flaw is the easy part. Now, Breslow and Co. have to do something about it. They have some depth in Triple-A, but this team needs a bonafide ace, and they aren't going to get one by pinching pennies.
Outside of the starting rotation, this Red Sox team has the makings of a legitimate contender in 2025. If pitching is the last piece of the puzzle, then they need to go all-in to get it.
Make a lucrative offer to Corbin Burnes or Jack Flaherty in free agency. Deal from Boston's prospect depth to entice the Chicago White Sox to trade Garrett Crochet. Try to pry George Kirby away from the Seattle Mariners. Just do something.
Red Sox fans may have been willing to give Breslow some grace when he was new to the job in 2023, but the 2024-25 offseason will go a long way in determining their assessment of his performance as the club's chief decision maker.
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