Heading into the 2024-25 offseason, the Boston Red Sox were in a tough spot. The team had just come off a year that saw a historic collapse in the second half, with Boston's pitching experiencing a complete and utter meltdown that led to its third straight playoff miss and the fifth in six years.
A few months later, the Red Sox are primed to have a bounce-back year. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and Boston's front office went full pelt with pitching upgrades, with the top prize being former Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet.
While Crochet may be the crown jewel of the Sox's pitching additions, Breslow also got some much-needed depth signings with Patrick Sandavol and World Series hero Walker Buehler. In what seemed like a blink of an eye, Boston's pitching did a complete 180, going from the team's greatest weakness to one of its strengths.
The Red Sox were not done. In what is the cherry on top of a great offseason, Boston signed All-Star Alex Bregman, quickly taking the club into the upper echelon of the American League.
In his introductory press conference, when asked why he chose the Red Sox over other potential suitors, Bregman explained that theRed Sox's commitment to winning caused him to ship up to Boston.
Alex Bregman cited the Red Sox's love of winning as his reason for signing with them, but they haven't shown it in years
"I feel like I have a great opportunity to win here… Obviously, playing at Fenway is awesome. Playing for a city that not only loves winning, but expects to win. I like playing in those pressure-packed environments, and I feel like I got that here in Boston," the infielder said.
Judging off the Red Sox's on-field performances in recent seasons, the Red Sox should be grateful that this is how Bregman viewed the organization. As, at least on the field, Boston has done the opposite of winning. Since the team's historic championship-winning 2018 season, the Red Sox have returned to the playoffs just once, which came in a magical 2021 season.
If it wasn't for a great offseason, there is a significant chance Bregman wouldn't be in Red Sox colors. Perhaps a return to a commitment to winning ultimately convinced Bregman as, for the first time in what seemed like years, Red Sox ownership finally decided to act like a big-market franchise.
So, while the team should be thankful for Bregman's faith in the 2025 team, they should also be relieved by the actions of John Henry and Boston's brass. Seemingly overnight, they chose to take action and be competent owners who spend like the baseball giants they are.