Red Sox Offseason Plans

         OCTOBER, BOSTON- The Boston Red Sox fell to the Houston Astros in the American League
Championship Series which ended their season. With the page turning to the offseason, many decisions
that will depict next season’s team will be made. Here is my outlook on what Boston may do in the
coming offseason.
           
         Two cornerstone players of the franchise will need attending to this winter. Xander Bogaerts has
an opt-out clause in his contract after next season and would become a free agent if he decides to opt out. 
Although he has expressed his desire to stay in Boston, he is ready to sign a much larger deal. Contracts
and players like this require a much longer process which is why they will need to start setting the
groundwork for it this offseason if they plan on retaining Bogaerts.
 
         The other player is third baseman Rafael Devers, who has grown into one of the game’s premier
hitters while improving his defense at third tremendously. Technically under contract for two more
seasons, it is yet another case of laying the groundwork in order to make sure locking up your star players
is certain.
           
         President of Baseball Operations, Chaim Bloom had this to say about the two, “We haven’t dived
into the specifics of how we’re going to handle either of those guys in their situations, but both of them
are cornerstone players for us.” Also adding, “they are guys that you want here as long as you can have
them here. They’re a huge part of what we did this year, they were a huge part of the last championship.
They’re going to be a huge part of our success going forward.”
 
         The last remaining big need that will surely be addressed is the starting rotation. Many
uncertainties loom as Chris Sale’s performance was shaky in the playoffs, while Eduardo Rodriguez is
becoming a free agent. Seemingly, the only two starting pitchers that are locked in for next season are
Sale and Nathan Eovaldi. The Red Sox should definitely be in the market for adding a few more starting
pitchers.
 
         Lastly, the Red Sox will need to figure out if pending free-agent Kyle Schwarber is worth
bringing back. Many factors play into this decision such as the probable return of designated hitter JD
Martinez. As well as identifying a definitive position for Schwarber if they do choose to re-sign him.
 
         Many needs will be addressed by the Red Sox which will give them the opportunity to sustain the
success built from last season. It is only the beginning of Chaim Bloom’s tenure here in Boston, so be
ready for another offseason full of surprises.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Works Cited:
ccotillo@MassLive.com, C. C. |. (2021, October 26). Red Sox View Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers as
'cornerstones' entering offseason & 6 other takeaways. masslive. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from
https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2021/10/boston-red-sox-view-xander-bogaerts-rafael-devers-as-
cornerstones-entering-offseason-6-other-takeaways-from-the-clubs-end-of-year-press-conference.html.