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Boston Red Sox rumors: Team not going ‘all-in’ for 2021, but the future

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 15: Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy looks on during a press conference addressing the departure of Alex Cora as manager of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on January 15, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. A MLB investigation concluded that Cora was involved in the Houston Astros sign stealing operation in 2017 while he was the bench coach. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 15: Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy looks on during a press conference addressing the departure of Alex Cora as manager of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on January 15, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. A MLB investigation concluded that Cora was involved in the Houston Astros sign stealing operation in 2017 while he was the bench coach. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Red Sox have basically been quiet this offseason when it comes to upgrading their roster in 2021.

Despite many MLB rumors linking the team to many intriguing free agents like George Springer and Corey Kluber, Red Sox fans have watched those players sign with AL East rivals who continue to get stronger as the hometown team appears content with being the fourth best team in the division at best.

In an interview with Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe on Wednesday, Red Sox team president and CEO Sam Kennedy confirmed what fans are not used to hearing.  The team is simply not striving to contend in 2021.

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"“I think it would be inaccurate to say we are going for it with an all-in approach that perhaps we did prior to the 2018 title,” Kennedy said, via MassLive.com.“We cherish that title, and all of them, but the way we built that team came at a price, which included importantly a depleted farm system and some depleted draft picks along the way.”"

In fact, Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom is taking a different approach, one that Kennedy hopes will have the team contending year in and year out in seasons to come, rather than selling out for 2021.

The Boston Red Sox are basically shopping for bargains in free agency

With minor moves like the signing of veteran outfielder Hunter Renfroe along with pitchers Matt Andriese and Martin Perez, the Red Sox are doing some tweaking while also hoping to strike gold on cheaper players while young talent like Rafael Devers, Bobby Dalbec, Jarren Duran and exciting young pitcher Tanner Houck continue to develop and reach their potential.

So basically, Kennedy is telling Red Sox fans to be patient as the team continues their vision of building a team that will a contender beyond 2021 on a more consistent basis and one that doesn’t include high-price spending on free agents that may or may not pan out.

"“We’re working to build a team that will contend for a championship year in and year out,” Kennedy continued.  “We’re not prioritizing a short-term splash over getting to that goal.  We’re looking to build this thing the right way, brick by brick.”"

That could sound like a cop out if you are a skeptical fan, but the team is just a couple years removed from a World Series title, which excuses them from making a splash.

On a roster that still includes players like Chris Sale, Eduardo Rodriguez, J.D. Martinez, Xander Bogaerts and Nathan Eovaldi, there of course is still hope that they can pull off something like they did in 2013 when they won the World Series with less talent.

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Can lighting strike again for a team building for tomorrow rather than now?

Kennedy still seems to have confidence that his team can still compete, without making the type of splash Boston Red Sox fans are hungry for.

Frustrating, but understandable if indeed that is the actual approach.

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