Boston Red Sox and the 2023 promise Chaim Bloom must now live up to

Unless the 2022 Boston Red Sox make a historical run in September, this will go down as a disappointing season for the team and will go down as a negative mark against Chaim Bloom.

While the Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer doesn’t put on a uniform and pitch, hit the ball, or play the field, he is responsible for the product out there on the field and the moves he didn’t make.

Though still filled with talent, there were holes at some key positions that could’ve and should’ve been addressed before the season even began and those holes came back to shoot the team in the foot, especially when injuries started to take its toll on the team.  Then, there is not extending stars like Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts.  If either or both walk, Red Sox Nation will have Bloom’s head.

So, how does he make it all better?

Chaim Bloom must start showing his vision for the 2023 Boston Red Sox

Well, it starts with top prospects like Brayan Bello and Triston Casas showing they can make an impact this September.  Bloom’s mission to rebuild the farm system over spending the big bucks on talent must play out and show results starting now.  He must take care of pending free agents Devers, Bogaerts and some other players who have become to be the soul of the team.  A good start was extending Kikè Hernandez earlier this week.

By assuring the versatile outfielder is a part of this team in 2023 shows Bloom at least has a plan.  While Hernandez has been limited by injuries this season, his decision to re-sign instead of testing free agency is a good sign that players are not throwing in the towel on Bloom.

"“This is a place where I want to be and being able to get it done this early and not have to go through free agency again.  I experienced it once, it was not that much fun anymore.  I’m excited to stay,” Hernandez said during an appearance on “The Bradfo Sho” podcast.  “I know that there are a lot of questions surrounding the team and the offseason and I hope I’m the first key piece to the team that’s going to come back so we can be better next year.”"

There are plenty of question that center around Devers and Bogaerts but doesn’t stop there.  J.D Martinez is as good as gone, but will Nathan Eovaldi and Michael Wacha be back?  What in the world will happen with the health of Chris Sale?  Is the rumors of the team making a push for Aaron Judge real? What other free agents will Chaim Bloom and the Red Sox pursue?  Will the checkbook even be open?

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Many of those questions will depend on how the team finishes the season and what kind of impact Bello, Casas and some other young players make over the coming weeks.  With the Hernandez extension, it appears Bloom is at least committed to making 2023 a way better year, which played into Kikè’s excitement in sticking around.

"“He knows where I stand.  He knows that the most important thing for me is not just the opportunity to play every day but how much it means for me to play every day for a winning team,” Hernandez continued.  I’m not going to say he promised me, but he promised me that we’re going to be way better next year.”"

We’ll believe that when we see it, but at least the Boston Red Sox front office is motivated to make sure 2023 is a bounce back season for the team.  At least they appear to be.  In the meantime, you better believe Red Sox fans will a spotlight on Bloom and this promise throughout the offseason.