The 2024 MLB season is over, and the Los Angeles Dodgers were crowned the World Series champions after a 4-1 win over the Yankees. With the offseason upon us, here are three ways the Boston Red Sox can dethrone the Yankees and reach the World Series next year.
1. Spend Some $
If this World Series showed us anything, it's that the best teams are willing to spend boatloads of cash to improve their teams.
For the past couple of offseasons, the Red Sox GM has not spent much on offseason acquisitions, whether in free agency or on the trade market. In fact, they have sent the opposite message to fans: that they want to cut costs.
"It (payroll) will probably be lower than it was in 2023."Sam Kennedy, Team President and CEO
Prior to spring training this season, GM Craig Breslow traded bona fide ace Chris Sale, something the team desperately needed at times during the season, to the Atlanta Braves for second baseman Vaughn Grissom. Grissom, who showed promise with the Braves and was predicted by some to be the potential everyday second baseman, had a year ravaged by injuries and poor performances.
That being said, the Sox do not have to spend a lot of money on position players from outside the organization. Led by All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers, outfielder Jarren Durran and three star prospects -outfielder Roman Anthony, catcher Kyle Teel, and shortstop Marcelo Meyer- the youth movement is in full effect and will continue to show great promise.
The team is not as strong when it comes to starting pitching, and could greatly benefit from having a true ace to lead the staff. Luckily, there are a few good options to choose from in free agency this offseason, most notably Corbin Burnes, who was a Baltimore Oriole last season, and other notable options such as Blake Snell and Max Fried.
If the Sox come into the season with a true No. 1 leading the pitching staff, they will be in great shape for the 2025 season.
2. Internal Improvements
As I mentioned earlier, the Red Sox have a glut of young talent already at the major league level and prospects with immense potential quickly progressing through the minor league system. But the only way the youth movement becomes a successful one is with consistent improvement from players on all levels.
For Rafael Devers and Jarren Duran, it will be to continue to play at an all-star level, and for first baseman Triston Casas, it will be to stay healthy enough to make his first all-star appearance. For Anthony, Teel, and Meyer, they will have to outplay the current starters at their respective positions (Anthony - Wilyer Abreu, Teel - Connor Wong, Meyer - Trevor Story) in spring training and play up to their top-prospect rankings.
By the end of the season, if the Red Sox lineup features all six guys, then a lot of things have gone right for the team.
3. Health
While spending money and seeing growth from its existing players will dramatically improve the 2025 Red Sox outlook, they need their best players to stay healthy as well. In 2024, injuries to Grissom and Casas had a significant impact, causing the team to pivot from their expected starting lineup and rely on unproven backups.
Avoiding similar long-term injuries this year will be critical to the team’s success.
If the Sox are going to win the American League pennant next year, they need to spend strategically in the off-season, their position players and starting pitchers need to take a step forward and they need to stay healthy as well. If these three things happen, the Sox’s season should last from February through late October/early November.