Red Sox Makes Moves To Sign Top Star Pitcher On A Stunning Move Expectations are high for the Boston Red Sox this offseason as they sit at the cusp of becoming true playoff contenders.
Entering the All-Star break, the Sox had the chance to sneak into the Wild Card as the Tigers appeared they might be sellers at the deadline and the Royals. But after a late summer slump and AL Central surge, it was clear by mid-September that postseason baseball was unlikely. Fortunately, the Sox have the chance to end the story differently in 2025 and become AL East threats this offseason. Boston has several weaknesses it needs to improve; it’s not a matter of what but in what order. With only a few weeks before winter meetings begin in December, the Red Sox must get their priorities straight before they enter free agency negotiations. Here are Boston’s most important free agency decisions this offseason.
Ranking the Red Sox’s most important free agency decisions this offseason
1. Who their ace will be
Acquiring a top-tier starting pitcher is essential. While Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford are reliable middle-of-the-rotation options, and the returns of Lucas Giolito and Garrett Whitlock offer additional depth, none of them can significantly elevate both the floor and ceiling of the rotation. Bringing in a player like Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, or Blake Snell would greatly enhance the team’s chances of making a deep playoff run. Although Boston’s rotation was adequate last season, adding a star pitcher is crucial for pushing the Red Sox to the next level.
2. How to strengthen the bullpen
The Red Sox bullpen struggled in the second half of the season. After the All-Star break, the group posted a 5.45 ERA, with Luis García and Lucas Sims, acquired at the trade deadline, leading the way. However, both García (8.22 ERA) and Sims (6.43 ERA) struggled and failed to record a single save before injuries sidelined them in late August.
As a whole, the bullpen posted a 4.39 ERA and 1.34 WHIP, blowing 39 saves, which ranked third-worst in the league. Boston has already begun to address the issue by signing left-hander Justin Wilson, but further improvements are necessary.
3. Which righty bats should join their lineup
The Red Sox‘s lefty-heavy lineup proved to be a disadvantage, as the team struggled against left-handed pitchers. Sox hitters posted a batting average below .250 and struck out a league-high 506 times against southpaws. To make matters worse, three of Boston’s top four prospects—Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Kyle Teel—are all left-handed hitters. This puts pressure on chief baseball officer Craig Bresloto add at least one right-handed bat to the roster this offseason.
4. How to improve plate discipline in their lineup
Next season, the Red Sox need to make more consistent contact — with 1,570 strikeouts and a 28.0% whiff rate, the Sox won’t make the playoffs with those numbers. While Boston posted a slugging percentage of .423 and a hard-hit rate of 41%, the lineup struggled with consistent contact. Although it’s not their most pressing issue, reducing swings and misses is essential if the Red Sox want to compete at a playoff level.
5. Which Gold Glove Award winner would be best to add
Boston needs to clean up its defense. Rafael Devers and Tyler O’Neil each ranked in the top five for errors committed by their position, contributing to the 115 errors the Sox committed. While Wilyer Abreu had a great year and won a Gold Glove, the rest of the lineup needs to do better to make clean outs. A healthy Trevor Story should help tighten the defense, but it never hurts to have more talent.
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