On Dec. 11, the Boston Red Sox pulled off a blockbuster trade for White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet. It's a solid move from Boston's front office, but the team still hasn't spent any real money on the free agent market.
From hopes to contend for the American League East title to raising the ceiling of the starting rotation to going all-in for Juan Soto, Sox fans were convinced that 2024 would be the last year of complacency in Boston, mostly due to the front office's promises. It's still just the second week of December, but most of the Red Sox's top free agent targets are off the board and they still haven't closed a deal.
On Dec. 11, only Corbin Burnes remains among free agent aces. However, many reports don't bode well for Boston's chances to land the righty. MLB insider Jon Morosi said the starting pitcher market is extremely expensive this offseason, which has been true, and only a few teams are willing to pay the price for No. 1 starters. The Red Sox have no excuse not to be among them, but fellow insider Mark Feinsand's latest story suggests they are not.
Feinsand listed the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays as frontrunners for Burnes, with Toronto as the favorite, which could mean both Max Fried and Burnes land in the AL East while the Red Sox settle for backup plans. Feinsand said Boston appears unwilling to break the bank for a starter like Burnes, but could pursue a reunion with Nick Pivetta.
MLB insider floats possible Red Sox reunion with Nick Pivetta if they whiff on Corbin Burnes
Weeks ago, the Red Sox were allegedly in the market for two aces. Craig Breslow's offseason began on a high note when he secured a draft pick when Pivetta declined the qualifying offer from the Sox. Now, Boston may surrender that pick just to maintain the same underwhelming rotation as last year.
Red Sox fans don't have a bad opinion of Pivetta — he's electric on the mound when he's on his game and he's pitched the most innings for the team since 2020. But he's inconsistent, and his 4.29 ERA over his five seasons with the Red Sox will not cut it in terms of "raising the ceiling" of the starting rotation.
Including salary estimates for arbitration-eligible players, Boston sits around $100 million below the first luxury tax threshold for 2025. The Red Sox have more than enough payroll flexibility to sign Burnes for as much and as long as he wants, and the organization has yet to present a good excuse not to do it.
Pivetta served the Red Sox organization well over his years with the club, but reuniting with him after coming in second for Burnes is unacceptable and could be the final straw for a significant portion of the fanbase. Boston could sign Burnes and Pivetta and still remain under the luxury tax, and if it has any interest in maintaining its fans, it should shoot even higher than that.