One system of management warfare is to weaken your opponent while strengthening yourself within your division, and the Boston Red Sox have that opportunity.
The New York Yankees — the most recent World Series failure — have one target in Juan Soto, who, according to Spotrac, is expected to sign in the 14-year at $560 million range. Insiders claim the Red Sox are in on his market, but none of the team's recent actions suggest they're willing to pay anything close to that price. Let's look further down the Eastern Seaboard and stop at Charm City.
Will the Baltimore Orioles spend on two free agents now on the loose? The O's had Corbin Burnes, projected to earn six years and $182 million on Spotrac. The Birds brought Burnes via a trade with the Brewers, but their farm system has slid to 23rd and has been impacted somewhat by that trade.
Burnes is the real deal as far as ace material is concerned, and he was one of the best in MLB last season. Adding the 30-year-old righty to the Red Sox's pitching staff would solidify the rotation and give that bullpen a bit of rest. Burnes will be much sought after, and BSI has already been bringing Burnes to Boston. MLB Trade Rumors also has Boston as a possible landing spot for Burnes. If the Sox want to make a pitching splash and hamstring the O's at the same time, this is it.
The Orioles also have right fielder Anthony Santander, another free agent who has been mentioned as a possible Red Sox target. Santander is projected to sign a five-year, $90 million deal. He brings a low batting average, below-average fielding, and switch-hitting power that produced 44 home runs and 102 RBI in 2024.
Red Sox could leapfrog over Orioles by signing Corbin Burnes, Anthony Santander
Is Santander needed? The Red Sox's current right fielder, Wilyer Abreu, who won a Gold Glove, is under team control and six years younger than Santander. Santander is a designated hitter in waiting, which would mean dead money with Masataka Yoshida.
The rumor mill is also active, with potential trades involving Jarren Duran's name surfacing. Santander, like Burnes, has received a qualifying offer. Would Santander be a spite signing? Would trades open up a roster spot for Santander and his power?
The Orioles are no strangers to bad contracts, an area Red Sox fans know intimately. Chris Davis is still on Baltimore's books for nearly $10 million annually, and he'll remain there until 2037. Do the O's spend?
The Orioles have a payroll of $110 million, and signing both Burnes and Santander is doubtful, especially Burnes. Boston has been reluctant the last few seasons to make a big splash, and Burnes and Santander would add to the Orioles' offseason woes.
The Red Sox have been relatively quiet in the poaching ritual that usually took place with the Yankees. There has been no Mike Torrez or Johnny Damon, but there was a recent trade of Alex Verdugo. A restless peace? The O's are not the Yankees who can fight you dollar for dollar and appear willing to continue to build internally and get compensation for free agents.