*Photo from Over the Monster*
Next up on the offseason report series, it's time to head up to Beantown to check in on the offseason of the Boston Red Sox.
2019 recap
After winning the world series with baseball's best record in 2018, the Red Sox stumbled out of the gate in 2019, and it didn't get much better, as they largely underperformed to an 84-78 record and missed the playoffs.
What you need to know
The Red Sox seemingly had a desire to shed payroll in the offseason. They started off the winter by heading overseas and signing Chih-Jung Liu to a minors deal in the hopes he can contribute to the rotation sooner rather than later. November was quiet, but in December, they sent backup C Sandy Leon to the Cleveland Indians. A few days later they signed middle infielder Jose Peraza to serve as their starting second baseman. They added a back end starting pitcher in Martin Perez to shore up the rotation. To start off January, they picked up Leon's replacement in Kevin Plawecki. It was mostly small transactions after that until they brought back 1B Mitch Moreland into the fold. Then, after the first Mookie Betts trade fell through, They completed a modified version, sending Betts and David Price to the Dodgers in exchange for Alex Verdugo and prospects Jeter Downs and Connor Wong. A few days later they got more outfield depth in Kevin Pillar, who is good with the glove and bat. Then they signed Jonathan Lucroy as a 3rd catcher to cap off the winter. In March, before the season was put on hold, they signed RHP Collin McHugh, and when the season was on hold, they brought in utilityman Yairo Munoz.
Moves I like
Although the Betts trade is unpopular and for good reason, Verdugo has a lot of skill and will slot into Fenway Park well, and Downs and Wong are two very highly regarded prospects. Pillar is a good option to round out the outfield and give some added depth as well. Peraza still has upside with the bat, and Perez at his worst is still serviceable. Moreland can provide some veteran leadership and upside with the bat and glove, he's a gold glove first baseman with some power. McHugh is also valuable pitching depth, especially since Price is gone and Chris Sale is out for 12-15 months.
Moves I don't like
Munoz seems unlikely to stick with the Red Sox, and he just left spring training with the Cardinals with no warning and no reason, so that puts him on my bad side already. Plawecki is a valuable backup catcher because there is no clear number two in Boston, but he's basically a younger version of Leon in the sense that he's not great hitting wise. Also, I feel the Red Sox didn't add enough starting pitching this winter, and that will probably come back to haunt them soon enough.
2020 outlook
It figures to be another season of the Red Sox competing for the playoffs, but the pitching, particularly in the rotation, lacks the necessary depth to put them over the top. I'd expect last year's result to repeat itself in 2020.
Comments
Post a Comment