https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=ALL&teamid=3
The Red Sox current projections have them in 80-84 win range with Vegas more pessimistic at 80. Picking up a Snell or Montgomery would put them around gains you about 2-3 wins in the projection which leaves you a little behind the Orioles for 5th in the division again. You wouldn't be in the WC conversation projection wise unless you grabbed another 4-5 WAR player, even there you would be on the outside looking in.
True - but those projections are based off of previous PA totals. I'd bet the total PA's for O'Neill and Grissom are relatively low when we're _hoping_ they get close to a full season of PA's.
What we'd have to hope for this year is:
1) Health - a much healthier year
2) Devers hits to his ability
2) TT maintains his SS fielding and refinds some of his power stroke (His career has always been a little hot and cold)
3) Casas takes another step forward
4) Grissom delivers on the spark plug potential he showed in 2022
5) Yoshida plays like he did in the first half of last year and doesn't tire
6) The outfield kids are alright
aka some kind of combination of Duran, Rafaella and Abreu provides outfield enough outfield value (I do expect some change here)
Pitching
1) Health
2) Giolito returns to form as a S1/S2
3) Bello takes another step forward
4) Pivetta can continue to be effective like he showed down the stretch
5) Crawford/Wikelman/Houck/Whitlock form a solid 4th 5th starter/longman relief combination.
Finishing in last place isn't a foregone conclusion.
Missing the playoffs isn't a forgone conclusion
I'd bet against it, but the team - even as constructed today - would have a path there.
And we all hope they improve it.
But if JMont decides he wants to be in Texas. And Snell chooses to stay on the west coast, I won't be crying in my cheerio's because I don't think they are elite adds that are going to guarantee the playoffs this year let alone into the future.