3 players Red Sox must prioritize as response to Yankees free-agent frenzy
By Rylie Smith
The Boston Red Sox are looking less and less competitive in the AL East as the New York Yankees signed several massive free agents this offseason.
The Boston Red Sox continue to make questionable choices this offseason, from failing to extend Xander Bogaerts before he opted out of his contract to signing players who may or may not do well next season
Their biggest rival, the Yankees, on the other hand, have made some huge moves that’ll certainly help them continue to grow toward being the once-dominant team they were not too long ago. They re-signed Aaron Judge with the largest contract in MLB history, a nine-year deal worth $360 million. They also most recently signed Carlos Rodon to six years worth $162 million.
The Red Sox were once threats to the Yankees, especially after knocking them out of the playoffs back in 2004 after coming up from a 3-0 deficit in the ALCS. They’ve been one of the most successful team of the 2000s, but they’re losing their rhythm now, only making the playoffs once since their last championship win in 2018.
If they want to continue their success and rise above the Yankees in the near future, there are several moves they can still make in order to maximize their chances.
3. Red Sox should extend 3B Rafael Devers
Boston fans have been screaming this one from the top of their lungs for the entire season: Extend Rafael Devers. They made the task much more difficult for themselves when they failed to extend Bogaerts, which ultimately led him to sign with the San Diego Padres. Because of that and the fact that the market is skyrocketing this offseason, Devers is bound to raise his asking price.
If they had managed to lock him down before this offseason, however, it would’ve been much easier and less expensive. While he’s going to cost the Red Sox a lot of money, that shouldn’t stop them from locking him down anyway.
He hits free agency after the 2023 season, and the team may not be able to compete with what the market is offering. Teams are hungry for talent, as proven with Bogaerts signing an 11-year deal worth $280 million with the San Diego Padres this offseason. He made the least of the four major shortstops (excluding Dansby Swanson, who hasn’t been signed yet).
This is extremely telling of the future. Teams are getting more competitive, and Devers is bound to go for a lot of money. The Red Sox don’t have much going for them right now, so they need to lock down what they do have. If they can agree to a deal before Devers starts hearing offers, they’ll be in a good spot.