4 Red Sox offseason mistakes so far, and how to fix them

The Red Sox have missed out on many vital moves that could have helped the team in 2023 and beyond. The team still has some time to recover before 2023. 

Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom has frustrated fans by missing out on re-signing homegrown shortstop Xander Bogaerts. He has also failed to upgrade many key positions, leaving Sox fans wondering what Bloom is trying to accomplish.

Bloom must make moves to keep fans happy and improve a team that disappointed down the stretch in 2022. Bloom must improve the team, or he will be in the hot season in 2023.

Let’s consider what the Sox have failed to do and how they can fix their mistake.

4. Failing to re-sign Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox must sign Dansby Swanson

Bloom’s failure to re-sign Bogaerts seems to bring on a case of post-traumatic stress disorder for many a Sox fan. Memories of the trade were rehashed this week as the Red Sox designated Jeter Downs, a key acquisition in the trade for Mookie Betts, for assignment.

Much like Betts, Bogaerts was a homegrown talent for the Sox. Once again, the Sox have seemingly given away a highly talented player for nothing. Rather than stay loyal to the Red Sox, Bogaerts signed an 11-year deal worth $280 million with the San Diego Padres. He joins a team that has shelled out loads of money for several talented players, including Manny Machado and Fernado Tatis Jr. Juan Soto was traded to the Padres at the trade deadline in 2022. The Sox got veteran first baseman Eric Hosmer in that deal, likely irking Sox fans that they couldn’t have landed Soto instead.

With Bogaerts gone, fans hoped to sign the next top shortstop, Carlos Correa.

Correa signed a staggering 13-year $350 million contract with the San Francisco Giants.

Now Bloom is reported to be “seriously considering” free agent shortstop Dansby Swanson. Noting the big contracts for Bogaerts, Correa, and Trea Turner, it would be interesting to see what kind of deal Bloom would offer for the next man available.

In 2022 for the Braves, Swanson hit .277/.329/.447 with  25 home runs, 96 RBI, and  99 runs scored. Swanson earned his first All-Star nod and won his first Gold Glove award.

Bloom will likely want to make a big signing after Bogaerts bolted for the Padres. Bloom will face a scorching hot seat if he doesn’t sign a top-tier shortstop.