The Boston Red Sox were not supposed to be a playoff team in 2021. The AL East appeared to be a division on the rise, and given their numerous holes and struggles in 2020, little was expected. However, the Red Sox believed, feeling that injuries and the shortened season played a major factor in their struggles.
It turns out that the Red Sox were correct. They shocked seemingly everyone outside of Boston as they reached the postseason, eventually being eliminated in six games by the Astros in the ALCS. That postseason series exposed several holes on the roster however, showing that the Red Sox still have plenty of work to do.
Three moves for the Boston Red Sox this offseason
The AL East is going to be even tougher next season. Tampa Bay is not going to go anywhere. The Blue Jays will have another year of experience for their young roster. Even though the Yankees had a chaotic year in 2021, they won 92 games and are poised to spend. If the Red Sox want to keep from sliding back in the division, they will need to make some changes.
The Boston Red Sox have several areas that need to be addressed. Let’s look at three moves they should make this offseason.
A top of the rotation arm
The Boston Red Sox were hoping to keep Eduardo Rodriguez. Not only did they give him the Qualifying Offer, but they also offered a multi-year deal in hopes that he would remain in Boston.
Instead, he took a five year deal to head to Detroit. Although his numbers were not impressive on the surface, Rodriguez’s peripherals showed that he ran into a great deal of bad luck in 2021. The Red Sox were certainly aware of that and were hoping that he would be a major part of their rotation moving forward.
Now the Red Sox need to find another top of the rotation arm. Nathan Eovaldi and a healthy Chris Sale should be a strong 1-2 punch, but they need another top line starter to compete in their division. Several of the arms in the second tier have signed, and with pitching being at such a premium, there may not be enough arms in free agency for Boston to get what they need.
The other option would be to swing a trade. With the Reds and A’s being open for business, that could be a way to land the arm they need and still have more than a year of control. While players such as Luis Castillo and Chris Bassitt will also be in high demand, the Red Sox may have the prospect capital to get their needed arm that way.
The Boston Red Sox need another arm in the rotation. They may have to hurry in order to bring that pitcher in.