The Boston Red Sox have made some good moves this offseason, trading for Sonny Gray, Johan Oviedo and Willson Contreras. They’ve improved their rotation and upgraded at first base, especially defensively.
What they haven’t done yet, however, is sign a Major League free agent two months into the offseason. After the Colorado Rockies signed veteran pitcher Michael Lorenzen to a one-year deal on Wednesday night, the Red Sox are now the only team that still hasn’t signed an MLB free agent this winter.
Given the team’s high payroll, goals and publicly expressed needs, that’s pretty shocking.
It’s not for a lack of trying. Boston made an offer to Pete Alonso before he signed with the Baltimore Orioles and has also made an “aggressive” offer to Alex Bregman. Time will tell if Bregman re-signs with the Red Sox, but there’s a good chance that he does.
Those are big moves, however, and big moves don’t usually happen overnight. It’s more surprising that Boston hasn’t at least done a one-year deal for a reliever or depth player, who are much more plentiful and easier to sign.
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Spring Training is five weeks away, so there’s still time. Craig Breslow has a reputation for being patient and deliberate, and he hasn’t proven to be the kind of executive who recklessly throws money around. He has a plan, and he sticks to it.
The Red Sox have managed to make several good additions so far without spending any money in free agency. If they want someone like Bregman or Bo Bichette, however, that will have to change.
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