Red Sox Prioritize Prospects Over Free Agency, Taking a Conservative Approach to Spending
The Boston Red Sox entered the offseason with several roster deficiencies that needed to be addressed. To their credit, they have taken steps to improve certain areas, particularly their starting rotation. The acquisitions of Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, and Patrick Sandoval, combined with the return of Lucas Giolito, have significantly bolstered the team’s pitching staff. These moves have transformed the Red Sox rotation into one of the strongest in the American League East. Additionally, the reshuffling of the pitching staff has strengthened the bullpen, as some of last season’s starters transition into relief roles. The signing of veteran closer Aroldis Chapman further enhances Boston’s bullpen depth, giving the team a fresh look heading into the 2025 season.
Despite these improvements on the mound, Boston’s front office appears hesitant to make major financial commitments to free-agent hitters. During the team’s end-of-season press conference, Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow and CEO Sam Kennedy acknowledged the need for additional pitching depth but also emphasized the importance of acquiring a right-handed power bat. Breslow specifically pointed to Tyler O’Neill’s 31 home runs from the right side of the plate as an example of what the team needs. However, recent reports suggest that the organization is reluctant to aggressively pursue high-profile free agents, shifting their focus instead toward internal development.
According to Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe, multiple agents have left conversations believing that manager Alex Cora and Kennedy are interested in adding a middle-of-the-order bat. However, team owner John Henry, chairman Tom Werner, and Breslow have reportedly been much more reserved in their approach. Abraham noted that Boston’s ownership group is unwilling to extend beyond short-term, team-friendly deals, largely because of their confidence in the organization’s top prospects—Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, and Marcelo Mayer. The front office appears to be banking on these young talents making a significant impact at the major league level in 2025.
This strategy was evident in Boston’s decision not to extend a $21.05 million qualifying offer to Tyler O’Neill, despite his strong power numbers. The Red Sox have also had the financial flexibility to pursue marquee free agents, such as Alex Bregman, but have yet to make a competitive offer. Their cautious approach suggests a departure from the aggressive spending typically associated with big-market teams.
Historically, large-market franchises like the Red Sox leverage their financial power to sign top-tier free agents and retain homegrown talent. However, Boston’s reluctance to commit significant long-term contracts has become a recurring theme in recent years. This trend was most notably seen when the organization failed to retain key homegrown stars in the past, and now, it appears to be affecting their approach to external free-agent acquisitions as well.
In fact, the Red Sox have not signed a major league free-agent hitter since January 2023, when they inked Adam Duvall to a modest one-year, $7 million deal under former Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom. Considering that the team has missed the postseason in four of the past five years, the lack of offensive reinforcements has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike. While the organization’s commitment to developing young talent is commendable, it remains uncertain whether Anthony, Campbell, and Mayer will be ready to make a meaningful impact at the major league level.
Boston’s front office appears to be making a calculated gamble, placing its faith in the next generation of talent rather than utilizing its financial resources to acquire established stars. While this approach could pay off if the prospects develop into key contributors, it also carries significant risk. If the young players struggle to adjust to the major leagues, the Red Sox could find themselves once again falling short of postseason contention—an outcome that may not sit well with a fanbase accustomed to championship aspirations.
