Red Sox Insider Hints Club Could Land Top Slugger In Possible Offseason Blockbuster
The Boston Red Sox have plenty of money to spend and a few holes on the roster to fill this offseason.
After winning just 78 games each of the last two seasons, Boston has some work to do. The Red Sox need to improve, that isn't too surprising. After two straight underwhelming campaigns, the club fired former chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom and now is making other organizational changes. It's clear the Red Sox will look different in 2024.
Boston's biggest needs are in the starting rotation, but it wouldn't hurt to add more depth in the outfield. Red Sox insider John Tomase suggested the club needs to add much more than just a depth piece and thinks trading for San Diego Padres star Juan Soto is what the club needs.
"Soto is that kind of talent, with an inherent joy for the game that's infectious," Tomase said. "When he's not shuffling in the box, he's smiling, and the Red Sox need to win us back by turning all of that future capital Chaim Bloom accumulated into someone who can impact the present. Acquiring him won't be easy. The Padres surrendered an absolute haul to get him, and Washington's second-half resurgence was built around some of the talent that came back, including 47-steal shortstop C.J. Abrams, promising left-hander MacKenzie Gore, and hulking top-10 prospect James Wood, a five-tool center fielder.
"The Red Sox should be prepared to part with either of their top two prospects, shortstop Marcelo Mayer and outfielder Roman Anthony, as the start of any package, and they might have to include right-hander Brayan Bello, too. They shouldn't let that stop them. Soto is one of the best hitters of this generation, he has already delivered on the biggest stage, and he'd turbocharge interest in a franchise that desperately needs a reset."
Soto very likely will be traded this offseason. San Diego wants to shred payroll and Soto very likely will land a deal north of $400 million. The 24-year-old will be expensive but already is one of the best hitters in baseball. The three-time All-Star has a batting title under his belt and is just starting to enter his prime. He impressed in 2023 launching a career-high 35 home runs with 109 RBIs and a .275/.410/.519 slash line. An offense including Soto along with third baseman Rafael Devers would be very intriguing.
Boston has plenty of money to spend and the prospect capital to get a deal done. Why not add one of the best hitters in baseball?
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