The Boston Red Sox have swung and missed in free agency so far.
After finishing no better than third in the Juan Soto sweepstakes and failed pursuits of starters Max Fried (Yankees) and Shane Bieber (Guardians), former Red Sox players and fans have criticized team brass for consistently failing to improve the roster.
“Red Sox cannot afford to lose another offseason!! Trade [Masataka] Yoshida and prospects for [Nolan] Arrenado (sic) and go get [Corbin] Burns (sic)!!” ex-Red Sox closer and online pot stirrer Jonathan Papelbon said in a post on X.
Last offseason, the Red Sox tallied just $4 million in net spending, the third-lowest total in baseball, ahead of only the Rays and Mariners.
This offseason, they’ve appeared more active with top free agents but that doesn’t mean a whole lot to an impatient fan base since none of those players have signed with the AL East squad.
Ringer founder and life-long Red Sox fan Bill Simmons also made fun of Boston’s lack of success so far, as most reports suggested that Boston was “seriously” considering players they did not get.
Boston reportedly made a run at Fried, who agreed to an eight-year, $218 million contract with the Yankees on Tuesday.
They also missed out on Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber, who, according to The Post’s Jon Heyman, accepted less money from other teams to return to Cleveland on a one-year contract.
Red Sox broadcaster and former second baseman Lou Merloni also thinks the team should now prioritizing going all-in with Burnes, the former NL Cy Young winner.
“So it’s Tor, (San Francisco), and Boston?? SF scares me. Just need a win,” Merloni said on X. “Absolutely need Burnes. After that, they can mess around with the Bullpen, Depth arms, and grab a bat, any bat. Doesn’t matter but the need a guy on top of this Rotation to be what they want to be.”
Owner John Henry and his Fenway Group, which also own Liverpool and the Pittsburgh Penguins, have come under fire in recent years for not spending like the franchise used to.
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Boston had an 81-81 record in 2024 while having the 11th-highest payroll ($188 million).
The team has been criticized for its offseason moves since trading Mookie Betts to the Dodgers in 2017 to avoid extending him on a massive deal.
Boston has also shown interest in Astros third baseman Alex Bregman, although there’s some disagreement over how he will profile through the end of his prime years.