The Boston Red Sox entered the 2024-2025 offseason with a mandate for change. Following a third consecutive sub-.500 season, culminating in an 81-81 finish, team leadership pledged an aggressive approach to free agency, aiming to restore the franchise’s winning tradition. The front office emphasized their commitment to building a competitive roster capable of contending for the AL East title and making a deep postseason run. However, as the offseason reached its traditional midpoint on New Year’s Day 2025, the Red Sox’s actions have not fully mirrored their ambitious rhetoric.
While not entirely inactive, Boston’s spending ranks 11th in MLB, a modest position given their stated goals and the resources at their disposal. Their $52.3 million commitment to four free-agent pitchers – Walker Buehler, Aroldis Chapman, Justin Wilson, and Patrick Sandoval – represents a slight increase over last year’s total spending but falls short of the aggressive investment promised to fans. The signings address some pitching needs, bolstering both the starting rotation and the bullpen, but they hardly represent a dramatic overhaul of a team that clearly needs improvement in multiple areas.
The Red Sox’s current spending is particularly underwhelming when compared to other teams, including division rivals and teams in significantly less stable situations. The New York Yankees, a perennial competitor in the AL East, have already committed over four times as much to free agents, highlighted by a massive contract for star pitcher Max Fried. Even the Oakland Athletics, facing relocation challenges and sharing a minor league stadium, have outspent the Red Sox in free agency. This discrepancy raises questions about the Red Sox’s true commitment to winning in the short term.
The largest expenditure for Boston thus far is the one-year, $21.05 million deal for Walker Buehler, a former Dodgers starter looking to rebound from injury. While Buehler possesses considerable upside, his recent injury history carries risk. The signings of veteran relievers Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson add experience to the bullpen, but both come with questions about their consistency and effectiveness. Patrick Sandoval, a left-handed starter, represents a longer-term investment but is currently recovering from elbow surgery, making his immediate impact uncertain.
The Red Sox’s focus on pitching is understandable given their struggles in this area last season, but it leaves other areas of the team unaddressed. The offense, while productive at times, lacked consistency and relied heavily on a few key players. Adding a power bat or a consistent on-base presence could significantly improve the lineup’s overall potency. Furthermore, defensive improvements are needed, particularly in the infield.
The front office’s promise of aggressive pursuit of improvement has, so far, translated into a moderate investment in pitching, leaving significant gaps in the roster. While the season is still months away, the Red Sox’s current approach does not inspire confidence that they will be legitimate contenders in 2025. The team’s leadership needs to demonstrate a greater sense of urgency and make more impactful moves if they are to fulfill their promise of returning the Red Sox to a championship-caliber team.
