The Boston Red Sox have once again been a disappointment this season. Despite having significant talent, Alex Cora and his team crumbled as the season wound down. Now, Boston will have to watch their main rivals, the Yankees and the Orioles, compete for the AL Pennant and a shot at the World Series.
The front office needs to implement changes as they look ahead to 2025. Inaction could lead to another season of mediocrity for the team.
Fortunately, Boston’s top three prospects—Roman Anthony, Kyle Teel, and Marcelo Mayer—are set to be promoted to the majors next year. If they can also secure one or more of their targeted free agents, they could position themselves to contend for the AL East title in 2025.
3. LHP Tanner Scott
One of the most sought-after players at the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline was the left-handed reliever from the Miami Marlins, Tanner Scott. Scott ended up going to the San Diego Padres for a King’s Ransom. Scott is on an expiring deal, which puts him in unrestricted free agency this offseason. I’d assume that the Padres are going to be very aggressive in trying to get Scott back in San Diego to make their trade investment worth it.
I would expect the Boston Red Sox to pursue Scott, as he would be an excellent fit for the team. Currently, Kenley Jansen is their closer, but I anticipate he will test free agency and likely move to another team. This would leave the Red Sox without a closer but with plenty of financial resources to invest.
There are very few high-leverage relievers who can match Scott’s performance. He would be a significant upgrade over Jansen and could serve as a top closer for the next three or four years, potentially maintaining a sub-2.00 ERA during that time.
2. 1B Pete Alonso
As for 1B Pete Alonso, while it’s clear that the Red Sox need a closer soon, this suggestion is more about bringing in a star player than addressing an immediate team need.
Boston has a strong first baseman in Triston Casas. In 60 games this season, he posted a slash line of .240/.342/.455 with 12 home runs. At just 24 years old, he continues to improve, despite dealing with injuries for much of the 2024 season. If the Red Sox don’t sign a first baseman in free agency, it wouldn’t be a major issue since Casas is capable of being the everyday starter.
However, Pete Alonso is available in free agency. As a generational talent for the New York Mets, he’s about to enter unrestricted free agency after hitting 226 home runs over six seasons. The Mets are likely to pursue Juan Soto, which could cost them over $550 million if they succeed. This opens the door for Boston to potentially snag Alonso while New York focuses on Soto.
Acquiring Alonso wouldn’t mean sidelining Casas; instead, they could share time at first base and designated hitter. While first base isn’t an urgent need for the Red Sox, Alonso is a game-changing player who could elevate the team.
1. RHP Corbin Burnes
The Red Sox didn’t need first base, but they definitely needed starting pitching.
The Red Sox’s back half features a few poor pitchers in addition to a couple of excellent ones. Tanner Houck isn’t the kind of ace a club needs to get them into the postseason, even though he has occasionally been outstanding. Someone like Tarik Skubal, who has taken over games all season long and helped guide the Tigers to postseason contention, is the kind of pitcher I believe the Red Sox need. While Skubal is not a free agent, Boston would benefit greatly from the arrival of Baltimore Orioles star Corbin Burnes, who is scheduled to become a free agent.
Corbin Burnes has done nothing but dominate for the last five seasons. For the fourth time in five years, Burnes is looking to post a sub-3.00 ERA while receiving Cy Young votes. Though he won’t win the Cy Young due to the dominance of Skubal, Burnes is without a doubt one of the best arms in the league.
Not only would Burnes be an addition for the Red Sox, but it would be a subtraction for the rival Orioles. Boston would be swooping in and adding an ace to their staff while forcing the Orioles to find a new ace for their roster.
Out of all the available free agents, Burnes should be Boston’s top priority this offseason.
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