As Boston Red Sox fans drown their tears in their Dunkin’ Donuts coffee while lamenting the loss of Juan Soto, take heart, Red Sox Nation; we’ve been down this road before. The Sox lost out on the best player in baseball back in the winter of 2003, and all they did to recover was go on to win the team’s first World Series in 86 years.
In the 2003 offseason, the Red Sox were coming off a demoralizing loss to the Yankees in Game 7 of the ALCS. Pedro Martinez threw over 100 pitches… Grady Little… Aaron Boone… if you know, you know. Boston was determined, more than ever, to upgrade the roster and get over the hump to take down the Yankees.
In November, the Red Sox started their spending spree by locking up starter Curt Schilling in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Suddenly, the Red Sox had a starting rotation featuring three 20-game winners in Martinez, Schilling, and Derek Lowe. Boston's next move was to upgrade the team’s defense and it would be ready to roll.
In late January, the Sox suddenly found themselves in a position to not only improve their defense, but pick up the best player in baseball along the way. Alex Rodriguez, the most dominant offensive weapon in the game and arguably a top-five defensive shortstop, became available. The Red Sox then put together a three-team deal that would net them Rodriguez, up-and-coming White Sox left fielder Magglio Ordonez, and reserve outfielder/first baseman Brandon McCarthy. The price was steep, however, with the Sox parting ways with icon shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, disgruntled left fielder Manny Ramirez, and then-pitching prospect Jon Lester. The deal was nearly complete until contract talks with ARod broke down, leading to the Yankees' eventual deal for Rodriguez in February.
Red Sox History: Boston losing out on Alex Rodriguez spurred modern success
The Sox spent a fair portion of that season soothing the egos of Ramirez and Garciaparra but the failed deal gave them more flexibility in July to eventually deal Garciaparra for shortstop Orlando Cabrera and first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. Cabrera instantly improved the Red Sox defense at shortstop, and they would eventually go on a historic run to a World Series title. Manny kept on being Manny and helped the Sox to another World Series in 2007. Lester would be a part of the 2007 team along with the 2013 World Series title.
Here we are, over 20 years later, and the Red Sox have lost out on another superstar. All is not lost, however. The Red Sox have already completed step one of a potential transformation by trading for White Sox lefty starter Garrett Crochet. Boston could move in on Teoscar Hernandez, a player who has expressed interest in coming to the Sox on multiple occasions and still have the finances to add a free-agent pitcher like Corbin Burnes. A trade for another front-line starter and the prospects to make a move in July, and this team is back in business.
In February of 2004, the Red Sox had egg on their face and looked like the laughingstock of baseball after the Yankees pulled the rug out from under them. In October of 2004, the Sox had champagne in their hair for the first time in 86 years. The Red Sox brass is now up to bat, let’s see how they do in a clutch spot.