This offseason is going to show why you need to build up and develop assets in the minors. The Yankees grab Soto because they had very good young, cheap players to trade. Having deep pockets or offering an overpay doesn’t guarantee you a high price FA like Yamamoto or Ohtani.
What a second. The Sox farm system, prior to the Yankees Soto deal was ranked in the top 5, even the top 3 depending on whose ranking. The Yankees farm was ranked middle of the pack. The Red Sox DO have good young cheap players to trade.
I'm feeling reactive to the Soto deal and the whisperings Yanks get Yamamoto, too, but here goes:
The Sox seem to be in a kind of paralysis about making big deals. Just back on their heals and can't get in the game. Veeeeeerrrry early with Breslow, but so far more munching around the edges (this time with a focus on pitching only) just like Bloom. Just seems more of the same, and now I wonder if those folks who said Bloom was being scapegoated were right. The ORGANIZATIONAL approach don't no feel all that much different to me so far ....
The Sox obviously need 2 top line starting pitchers. And they need another big bat (ideally a RHH), and need to shore D with second base being an obvious place to do that. And if they team addressed all those things I think they
would be able to contend in 2024. And addressing all those things in a single off season IS doable. Acquiring four players? I mean, look what St. Louis just did in short order.
And if a couple players have to be overpaid, for a couple years too long, so be it. It's a rich organization with a good farm now - they can afford it.
It seems there is so much tut-tutting about what is realistic. But that framing is really new. That is post 2019 Red Sox framing. For quite a while the Sox pursued and got the top players in the game. They don't anymore. What gives? There is a deep cultural love of baseball in the region and a ballpark that is the most expensive to attend in the country. If ownership no longer wants to get the Mannys/Pedros/Schillings/Becketts ...damn, even the Sales (at the time they got him) ...well, then, fuck them, that sucks, its not acceptable.
Buuuuuuut .....there are still a lot of good arms out there. So, let's hope.