MLB agent Scott Boras claims Red Sox are ‘wanting to secure high-level players’ this offseason
"They’re definitely planning on being very active in the free agent market."
At least one prominent MLB agent senses that the Red Sox are willing to back up the talk that they’re set to be aggressive this offseason.
Scott Boras told reporters at the General Manager Meetings that the Red Sox have shown a willingness to be active in the pursuit of big-name free agents.
“In our meetings, [the Red Sox] are definitely letting us know that ownership is committed, that they’re wanting to secure high-level players and that they’re definitely planning on being very active in the free agent market,” the high-profile agent said, via The Athletic‘s Jen McCaffrey.
Entering the offseason, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and CEO Sam Kennedy shared that they “intend to be aggressive” in making moves this winter as they have a “burning urgency to get back to the postseason.” Breslow recommitted to that stance when he met with reporters at the GM Meetings.
“I think we have to,” Breslow told The Boston Globe‘s Alex Speier when asked if the team will pursue a top-of-the-rotation pitcher. “We have lofty goals. We know we need to raise the ceiling of the rotation. I think there are a lot of ways to do that, but we’re going to be really, really open-minded.”
Of course, the Red Sox’ front office shared a similar sentiment last offseason. Chairman Tom Werner told reporters that the team intended to go “full throttle” during free agency.
Boston, ultimately, had a relatively light spending offseason. Lucas Giolio’s two-year, $38.5 million deal was the largest contract the Red Sox gave to a free agent as the team’s payroll was at $190 million (per Spotrac), which was several million short of the $237 million luxury tax threshold.
Breslow has insisted on multiple occasions, though, that the team has to be more aggressive in improving the big league roster this offseason, believing that he’s in a better spot to do so this winter as he’s entering his second season in his role.
“I think [this offseason] feels different. I think it should feel different. I know a lot more about the organization,” Breslow told Speier. “Being better informed allows us to make better decisions.”
Boras represents several of the top free agents on the market this winter. The most notable is Juan Soto, who Boston is reportedly in on. He also represents first baseman Pete Alonso and third baseman Alex Bregman, who the Red Sox have been linked to early on in free agency.
Additionally, Boras represents nearly every top starting pitcher on the free-agent market this offseason. Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell, Sean Manaea, and Yusei Kikuchi are all Boras clients. Boston has been speculated as a fit for each pitcher as it’s in need of quality starting pitching.
Obviously, the Red Sox can also pursue non-Boras clients, too. All-Star Max Fried is among the free-agent pitchers that the Red Sox are “in” on, according to the New York Post‘s Jon Heyman. Meanwhile, the Red Sox are also reportedly showing interest in outfielder Teoscar Hernández again.
Boston could pursue a major addition to the roster via trade. White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet seems to be the top name on the trade market this offseason, with the Red Sox being linked to him as well.
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