The Boston Red Sox are one of the storied franchises in Major League Baseball. After two years of missing the postseason, it is time to get the Red Sox back to prominence. Will it be this season? Signs point to no but the team still has chances to improve on the field. Let’s get into it.

2023 SEASON IN-REVIEW

Record: 78-84

Postseason: N/A

It was an underwhelming season for the second consecutive year. Like 2022, the Red Sox finished with78 wins and missed the postseason. The confusing direction of the team continues on.

2024 SEASON PREVIEW

Key Losses: 3B Justin Turner, SP James Paxton, SP Chris Sale, OF Alex Verdugo

Key Additions: SP Lucas Giolito, SS Vaughn Grissom, OF Tyler O’Neill

Are the Red Sox “full throttle” this season? Are they all in? Those might be the words spoken but actions have not matched up.

Boston attempted to make moves this offseason but ultimately failed in regards to Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Both would have improves Boston where it needs to the most — the starting rotation.

The Red Sox sent away an aging and injury-prone Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves in return for Vaughn Grissom. At the end of the day, this was a deal that will benefit the Red Sox. They added Lucas Giolito and this was the big move at the top of the rotation. This is underwhelming at best. The rotation brings great question marks with Nick Pivetta and Brayan Bello rounding it out.

It feels as though all starters are pitching a spot ahead of where they should be. This is why a No. 1 was prioritized but it seems Boston is not rushing to get Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery. Bello produced in some capacity during his sophomore campaign but would fit into the fourth spot in the rotation well. Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford are both fifth starters but will likely both have to be used. Even Pivetta and Giolito are expected to be more than they should this season. There are some nervous feelings surrounding this rotation.

Now, we enter the most confusing part of the Red Sox. The lineup is better than it gets credit for, especially with the addition of Tyler O’Neill. Rafael Devers was paid. Trevor Story was given a contract. Masataka Yoshida hit .289 and drove in 72 runs in his first season. Grissom is now a player to develop for the future. There are pieces there but, especially with Devers signed long-term, what is the plan?

This is a team that should be all in but that has not been the case this offseason. There are eyes on the next generation and that’s fine for 2024 but it has to end there. Boston needs to work on developing the likes of Wilyer Abreu and Jarred Duran further. Even Tristan Casas, who has had a chance to play significant innings. If the play is to fast track the youngsters, this will be the year but Boston must actually be all in next offseason.

The Red Sox are not afraid to spend. This free agent cycle was underwhelming outside of Ohtani and Yamamoto. There was no rush to go out and overspend on a mid-level player. Next offseason, that is not the case. There are many starting pitchers available that would bolster the rotation in Boston. There are stars that could take Boston back to where it wants to be.

Potential Starting Lineup

1. Jarren Duran, OF
2. Rafael Devers, 3B
3. Tristan Casas, 1B
4. Trevor Story, SS
5. Masataka Yoshida, DH
6. Tyler O’Neill, OF
7. Wilyer Abreu, OF
8. Vaughn Grissom, 2B
9. Connor Wong, C

Potential Rotation

• Lucas Giolito
• Nick Pivetta
• Brayan Bello
• Kutter Crawford
• Tanner Houck

Final Record Prediction: 81-81