Over the past week, it has been splash, after splash, after splash, after splash, after… Okay, you get it. The one problem for Red Sox fans is that their team has merely been a “tire kicker” on every big signing thus far at the MLB Winter Meetings in San Diego.
While in an ideal world, Red Sox fans would love to see Xander Bogaerts locked up in a deal that both he and the ownership group is happy with, the reality is that he is not.
There is a silver lining to this: he is not signed ANYWHERE. While he is unhappy with the money Boston is offering, what this means to me – at least from an outsider’s perspective – is that he is also unhappy with the money other teams are offering and is not ready to commit until he gets exactly what he’s looking for.
Is this long-term good news? Probably not, but in the short-term it’s a way to look positively at the situation.
The Red Sox have made two moves this offseason so far, signing Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen – both to two-year contracts – solidifying their bullpen a bit.
The problem in Boston remains that Boston Chief Baseball Officer, Chaim Bloom, looks at Boston like he did with the Tampa Bay Rays – a team that needs to build the farm system first before spending money – even though they have over $150 million more than the aforementioned Rays have to spend.
Here are some realistic moves the Red Sox could and should make considering their history with Bloom, and their biggest needs going into this offseason.
Starting Pitching
Right now, as it stands, Boston has three pitchers from their 2022 rotation who are free agents: Rich Hill, Michael Wacha, and Nathan Eovaldi. While pitching is something they do have, it’s quality pitching they lack.
Sure, a full season of Tanner Houck might help bring certain abilities (or lack thereof) to light, but with the signing of Jansen, his role is up in the air to say the least.
Chris Sale will be back next year, and James Paxton will finally be able to pitch after fully recovering Tommy John Surgery, but they are the only two definite starters.
Here’s what they realistically should do.
Re-sign One Of The Three On The Market
Going into the offseason, the Red Sox were prepared to have three pitchers hit the open market: Rich Hill, Michael Wacha, and Nathan Eovaldi.
The first thing, the Red Sox need to do is to sign one of the three – preferably one of the right-handed pitchers. Out of the two that are on the market, there are pros and cons to bringing each back.
Making The Case For Eovaldi
If you bring back Eovaldi, you bring back someone the fans are familiar with, and someone who dates back to their 2018 World Series run. Someone who has been consistently solid at the front-end of the rotation, and give them a good 1-2-3 with Sale, Eovaldi, and Paxton.
Making The Case For Wacha
However, if you bring back Wacha, you bring back a guy who is riding high from a solid season where he saw his ERA drop to 3.32 and only lose two games all season. Not to mention, being a part of a combined no-hitter in AAA on a rehab assignment.
Making The Case For Neither – Bringing Back Hill
Now, if you really want to play the bargain bin card, bring back Hill. Sure, you’ll get to see 65 MPH curveballs and maybe get a few more strikeouts, but with Hill you’re running the risk of injuries due to his age, and you also load up your rotation with three left-handed pitchers.
Sign One of These Two Proven Starters – Corey Kluber or Chris Archer
The next thing the Red Sox need to do is to sign at least one, maybe two proven starters. My prime candidates for this are Corey Kluber, and Chris Archer.
Making The Case For Kluber
The case for Kluber is simple: he is a good replacement for Eovaldi, if they wind up signing Wacha instead, or worse lose out on both. They were in on him a few years ago before the Yankees swooped him up, and he was very close given that he lives in Winchester, Massachusetts, but New York wound up outbidding Boston.
The reason he is a good replacement is he relies on his sinker to get groundballs – much like Eovaldi. Sure, he has had a few health issues in the past, but a change of scenery, and playing close to home is a remedy for success for Kluber.
Making The Case For Archer
The case for Archer almost the same as Kluber, but the opposite. If the Red Sox were to end up signing Eovaldi, and not Wacha, this is the direction they should take. Like Wacha, Archer relies on his slider to get strikeouts.
Ever since leaving Tampa Bay, Archer just about disappeared off the face of the Earth in Minnesota behind the shadow of, first Jose Berrios, and then Joe Ryan.
Others To Keep An Eye On: Chris Bassitt, Sean Manea, Carlos Rodon.
Bullpen Help
As stated earlier, on Wednesday, Boston signed Kenley Jansen to a 2-year, $32 million contract, and earlier signed Chris Martin to a 2-year $17.5 million contract.
Jansen gives them a surefire closer, and – barring injury – solidifies that position in the bullpen, handing set-up duties presumably to John Schreiber, and/or Matt Barnes.
With the potential departure of Matt Strahm to Philadelphia, the Red Sox need left-handed pitching help or someone who can eat some innings.
Replacing The Left-Handed Arm – Sign Brad Hand
Back before being traded to the then-Cleveland Indians, Brad Hand was a hot commodity coming from the San Diego Padres.
In 2022, with the Phillies Hand held a record of 3-2, but more importantly his ERA was a solid 2.82 – all while tallying 13 holds in 45.0 innings. Given the numbers, Hand could be a solid bridge between Schreiber and/or Barnes starting in the 7th inning – allowing starters to have to only go six innings before turning it over to the bullpen.
Alternatively, what Hand could also serve as is that set-up man when Barnes or Schreiber need a day off. His versatility in the bullpen could really play a big role – whether they see him as that, I’m not sure.
Eating Some Innings – Matt Wisler
One thing the Red Sox lacked in 2022, was someone who could eat innings coming out of the bullpen consistently. They tried it with Houck, but he wound up getting hurt. Then they continued the experiment with Darwinzon Hernandez, and he was inconsistent.
Wisler is coming off a season where he held a 3-3 record with a 2.82 record in Tampa Bay. Ever since his first two seasons in the big leagues, Wisler has acted as a reliever or spot starter, but has always had a tendency to go more than one inning – when successful of course.
After spending two seasons with the Rays, he is looking for an upgrade in pay, but I can’t imagine him wanting Edwin Diaz type of money.
Other Players To Keep An Eye On: David Robertson, Corey Knebel, Mychal Givens.
Outfield Help
As of Wednesday, the only for sure outfielders for Boston are Alex Verdugo, and Kike Hernandez. After the season Verdugo had (.280 avg, 11 HRs, 74 RBIs), and the season Hernandez had before that, I’m not sure you’ll find many Red Sox fans complaining, but they definitely need help out in right field, and a back-up for centerfield when Hernandez when he has to play second base.
They do still have Rob Refsnyder on the roster, but that kind of help only goes so far.
The three primary players that Boston really should be keeping an eye on are Wil Myers, Kole Calhoun, and Michael Conforto.
Making The Case For Myers
First of all, revenge would be sweet if the Red Sox were to sign him after all the damage he did TO Boston as a member of the Rays. To see him in a Boston uniform at Tropicana Field – a place Boston has struggled to play well at recently – would be just pure bliss *chefs kiss*.
Making the pitch for Myers, would not be complete without mentioning the way he swings the bat. He has a tendency to swing to all fields, and can do so with authority. He has some pop to his bat, but it does not overpower his ability to get on base.
Myers is also familiar with Bloom, so that could bode well in the Red Sox favor. He won’t cost Aaron Judge money, or even Mitch Haniger money, but it may cost you time commitment – something that should not be a problem as it is a position they look to sure-up given the lack of production they have received from the outfield since the departure of Andrew Benintendi, and Mookie Betts.
Making The Case For Calhoun
A long-term enemy of the Red Sox, who consistently beat-up on Boston pitching – lefties and righties alike – would be a good fit in Boston for a couple of reasons.
The first is his bat. He can hit for power in one game, but also have the patience to draw a handful of walks in the next – something this team has lacked over the last few seasons.
The second reason Calhoun would be a good fit in Boston is his glove, and arm. He won a Gold Glove back in 2015, but, despite excellent fielding skills, hasn’t won one since. His arm, however, has not digressed at all with 64 outfield assists from right field alone in 10 years in the big leagues.
He won’t cost you nearly as much as Haniger would given his poor offensive output last year, so consider him a bargain starting right fielder.
Making The Case For Conforto
Okay, maybe this one is a bit of a stretch as he would most likely cost you Mitch Haniger money, if not more, considering how he carried a lot of the offensive workload for the New York Mets last season, but boy would he kickstart the offense.
Conforto is one of a handful of players to play in the Little League World Series, College World Series, and the Major League World Series, so he would be joining ex-Red Sox Jason Varitek in that club, but more importantly he would bring a spark to a power-depleted outfield.
Chances are, Conforto stays with the Mets, but it’s worth mentioning here.
Other Players To Keep An Eye On: Andrew McCutchen, Trey Mancini, Michael Brantley.
Catching Help
Maybe I’m in the minority here, but it doesn’t seem like Christian Vazquez is coming back to Boston after being traded away to the Houston Astros at the deadline last year.
It seems like there are too many offers on the table for him to cave and return to the Red Sox. The Red Sox do have two catchers who are primed and ready to go in Connor Wong, and Reese McGuire, but they don’t seem to solve the puzzle.
For one thing, Wong still doesn’t quite seem major league-ready, and McGuire hasn’t had enough time with the club to make an impression with the pitchers yet.
A few things to look at are bringing back Kevin Plawecki, Jorge Alfaro, or even signing Mike Zunino.
Making The Case For Plawecki
First of all, when the Red Sox DFA’d Plawecki, the fans were upset… To say the least. The first reason to bring him back is to give the fans something to smile about again.
That reason is: laundry cart rides. I know it’s something small, but it’s a tradition, and every good team has some sort of quirk that propels them to the end point.
In 2004, it was the personalities of Orlando Cabrera, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, and Pedro Martinez. In 2013, it was the beards, and in 2021 when they were making a run it was the laundry cart rides after home runs along with “Dancing On My Own”, both of which Plawecki brought in.
Plawecki is familiar with the team and the culture, and would fit right back in, *Ace Ventura voice* like a glove.
Making The Case For Alfaro
Now, Alfaro is an interesting breed. He’s what I like to call a selectively offensive catcher. He had his best seasons in 2018 and 2019, respectively where he had a batting average of .262 both seasons, and hit a combined 28 HRs, and collected 94 RBIs.
The catch for Alfaro is he has not handled starting catching duties since his first season in Miami in 2019, which would be four years previous once the season starts.
His bat would be a good for Fenway Park, however, as he has hit in double-digits for doubles every season, but two – finishing with 14 last season alone.
Making The Case For Zunino
Maybe like Conforto this one is a bit of a stretch too, but Zunino is a perfect fit to fill the spot that Vazquez left both defensively on the field, and offensively in the batters’ box.
For one thing, he has four seasons where he hit 20 Home Runs or more, one coming in 2021 with Tampa Bay where he hit 33. His excellent track record in the playoffs help him as well, which would help him, at least attempt to fill Vazquez’s shoes.
Other Players To Keep An Eye On: Roberto Perez, Austin Hedges, Gary Sanchez
Shortstop – Replacing Bogaerts If He Leaves
Now, this is the biggest question mark in the off-season. This whole section is predicated on Bogaerts leaving the team, which, until recently, was looking more and more likely by the day.
Now, reports are coming out that the Red Sox are in heavy talks with the Aruba-born shortstop, but nothing has been finalized on either side.
In an ideal world, I wouldn’t be writing this, but here are some alternative solutions if Bogaerts were to leave Beantown.
Re-Arrange The Infield So Trevor Story Is Back To His Natural Position
If you ask someone if they’re concerned about him leaving and they say no, this is most likely why. That or they’re anticipating great things from Marcelo Mayer – or both.
There’s a very simple way of doing this, you either give Chad de la Guerra his first full season in the big leagues (finally!), or you give Cameron Cannon a shot at second base, but really the best method in my opinion is none of the above.
The best of course of action here would be to promote Ryan Fitzgerald. In 2022, Fitzgerald hit for a .219 average while swatting 16 home runs, and driving in 72 runs (a career-high).
Take A Swing At Swanson Once You See What The Market Is Like
By this point, you’ve heard that Trea Turner signed an 11-year, $300 million contract with the Phillies. It’s a matter of time before Carlos Correa signs somewhere, and once that and Bogaerts sign their respective contracts, you’ll have a good picture of what the market is like for “other” shortstops.
Despite being one of the best in his draft class, and being drafted first-overall, he may go for less money than one would think, but at least by this point you will know what you have to pay in order to get a non-Correa/Bogaerts/Turner shortstop.
Last Resort: Reunion (Again) With Jose Iglesias
If all else fails with every other shortstop that they check in with, and they really don’t want to spend Bogaerts money, they can try another reunion with Jose Iglesias.
Last time he came back to Boston, it was on a short stint back in 2021 late in the season, and he made an immediate impact with his bat and his glove. It’s too bad it was so late in the year, seeing as he definitely would’ve been able to help them late in the year, not to mention in their postseason run.
Other Players To Keep An Eye On: Elvis Andrus, Andrelton Simmons, Alcides Escobar.
Free agency is just beginning, and Boston is the focal point of our discussion here. Follow me for updates on Twitter at @zander_manning_.
The Northeast Regional Sports Journal 
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