Red Sox ignoring reality with optimistic outlook for 2023 season

The Boston Red Sox are taking a glass half-full approach as they begin spring training. The fanbase, however, may not share their optimism.

Hope springs eternal, and with the Boston Red Sox set to get to work in Fort Meyers, Florida, the players are ready to prove the doubters wrong. But is their optimistic view ignoring the cold-hard facts?

Team President and CEO Sam Kennedy, via ESPN, spoke with the media on Monday and acknowledged that his team has heard the outside noise. Kennedy said that he’ll, “let the players do the talking.”

That’s all well and good, and it’s nice sound byte for the talking heads and experts to chew on for a day or so, but the reality of the situation is that Boston didn’t get better during the offseason and the rest of the AL East did.

Red Sox ignoring reality with optimistic outlook for 2023 season

The Boston Red Sox saw Xander Bogaerts depart for greener pastures in free agency. By greener pastures, I’m talking about the 11-year/$280-million contract the shortstop signed with the San Diego Padres.

Boston also lost longtime designated hitter J.D. Martinez who’s now playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Red Sox will look to Justin Turner to fill the void left by Martinez, but the former Dodgers third baseman’s .788 OPS was his worst since 2013.

To make matters worse, the Red Sox will be without last year’s biggest free agent acquisition Trevor Story. The infielder underwent elbow surgery and it’s doubtful he’ll be back in the lineup until after the All-Star, if at all.

Now there are some bright spots to focus on if you’re a Red Sox fan. The front office did shore up its putrid bullpen with the additions of Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin, and Joely Rodriguez. Boston’s relief corps ranked 14th in the league last season with a 4.59 ERA and a league-leading 318 runs allowed.

A lot of the optimism within the Red Sox clubhouse may rest with the health of former Cy Young Award-winner Chris Sale. After appearing in just 36 games over the past four seasons, Sale is said to be 100% heading into spring training.

The rest of the AL East has outpaced the Red Sox

The biggest problem, however, might have little to do with who’s currently in Red Sox camp, but what’s going on around them. While Boston was content to make some relatively meager moves during the offseason after finishing in last place in the AL East, the rest of their division rivals were busy this winter.

The New York Yankees re-signed reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge and inked Carlos Rodon to a contract. The Toronto Blue Jays added Daulton Varsho, Chris Bassitt, and Brandon Belt. The Tampa Bay Rays loaded farm system always makes them a threat, and the Baltimore Orioles appear to be on the other side of their rebuild.

The Boston Red Sox have the right attitude heading into the 2023 season, but their optimism may be sorely misplaced. The Red Sox will have to exceed the expectations of nearly everyone, including their fanbase, in order to succeed during the upcoming season.