3 Offseason Moves the Red Sox Need to Make the Playoffs in 2024

The Red Sox were officially eliminated from the playoffs this week, confirming what many of the team’s fans have already known for weeks. For the fourth time in five years, Boston will not be playing postseason baseball in October.

That has to change, obviously, and whoever replaces Chaim Bloom as the head of baseball operations has some work to do this offseason. The Red Sox have some solid foundational pieces in place and an emerging young core, but they still need to make some big moves this winter to put them over the top.

With that in mind, here are three moves Boston needs to make this offseason.

3 Red Sox Offseason Moves

1. Acquire an Ace

It’s been a while since the Red Sox had a true ace at the top of the rotation, as David Price was traded before the 2020 season and Chris Sale has broken down with injuries. Bloom refused to splurge on starting pitching during his time at the helm, and that was ultimately one of the many reasons why he got fired.

Boston has a couple of solid starters, but it really needs to add someone who can lead the staff and shut down the opposition every fifth day.

If the Red Sox want to go the free-agent route, there are some intriguing options. Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been mentioned as a good fit for Boston, especially since his former teammate Masataka Yoshida is already on the roster.

If the Sox would rather sign someone with MLB experience, then someone like Aaron Nola or Julio Urias would make a lot of sense. Both have thrived in big markets and could come at a slight discount after somewhat disappointing seasons. Blake Snell is another attractive option, although he’ll likely be in high demand if he ends up winning the NL Cy Young.

And if Boston would rather not shell out for a big-name starting pitcher, it could always cash in some of its prospects and trade for a starter with team control.

Regardless of how they do it, the Red Sox need to bring in a No. 1 pitcher before next season.