Like they did in nearly every season under Alex Cora, the Boston Red Sox of 2024 absolutely collapsed in the final stretch of play. As they watched their AL East rivals, the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles, prepare to play for the World Series in October, they were absent from the 2024 postseason.
Boston must undergo certain transformations. Despite being a gifted squad, they simply lacked the offensive punch to prevail as the season went on. I would anticipate Boston to be quite active in both the offseason trade market and free agency when this offseason officially starts. Many of the players who were on their 2024 roster will not return in 2025.
3. C Danny Jansen
The Red Sox made a move to acquire Danny Jansen before this year’s trade deadline, aiming to enhance their catching depth for a playoff run. However, Jansen has struggled to make a positive impact, posting a .195/.333/.312 line during his time in Boston. He’s neither hitting for average nor showing power, and while catchers often prioritize defense, his offensive struggles make it hard to justify keeping him. With Jansen set to become a free agent, the Red Sox probably won’t pursue him actively, especially with better options available on the market.
Meanwhile, the future looks bright for Boston’s catching position with Kyle Teel in Triple-A. At just 22, he has excelled in the minors, boasting a .288/.386/.433 line with 36 extra-base hits and 12 stolen bases. Teel is considered a top-three prospect in the organization and could make his big league debut as early as the 2025 season. If he performs well in Spring Training, he might even secure a spot on the opening-day roster.
Overall, it’s likely the Red Sox will move on from Jansen, and it’s a decision that seems justifiable.
2. RHP Nick Pivetta
The Boston Red Sox are poised to be very aggressive in the starting pitching market during free agency, which features a strong class of talent. They could target top pitchers like Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell, and Max Fried, especially as other major markets focus on superstar Juan Soto.
Nick Pivetta, 31, is entering free agency and is likely to seek a salary higher than his value. While he has been decent in Boston, the team would be wise to allocate the $20 million he’ll demand to a more impactful player.
Ultimately, Pivetta isn’t the ace the Red Sox need; he’s more of a back-of-the-rotation innings eater. To avoid stagnation and improve their performance, Boston must upgrade that part of the rotation.
I believe the Red Sox front office recognizes this necessity and will pursue a high-profile free-agent starter in the coming months.
1. RHP Kenley Jansen
Throughout much of the first half of the season, Kenley Jansen was at the center of numerous trade deadline rumors. With the Red Sox struggling early on, they seemed inclined to trade Jansen, especially since he would be a free agent at season’s end. Such speculation can be unsettling for a player, but in the end, Boston kept him, and he has performed well for most of the season.
However, with Jansen heading into unrestricted free agency, he is likely to command a contract larger than what Boston is willing to offer. He has expressed a desire to return to the Dodgers before his career ends, so I anticipate he will sign a one- or two-year deal with them this offseason. This would leave the Red Sox in search of a new closer.
Regardless, Boston plans to be active this offseason. Losing Jansen wouldn’t be catastrophic for them, as they have more pressing needs to address than re-signing an aging closer. Jansen will likely depart, but the Red Sox will find a replacement of equal or greater quality.
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