#19
The Boston Red Sox are stuck in a division with four juggernauts. Will they be able to enter the conversation of the AL East contenders at all in 2024?
#23 - 5th in AL East
MIH - Masataka Yoshida
MIP - Chris Sale
PTW - Triston Casas
FP - This is Chris Sale's last season for the Red Sox.
2023 Results
#20 - 78-84, 5th in AL East
Highest WAR (Position) - Rafael Devers
Highest WAR (Pitcher) - Chris Martin
There wasn't really any other result for the Red Sox in 2023. The other four team in the division are peaking while the Sox are somewhere in between. Their superstar third baseman keeps doing what he should, but there second best player in terms of WAR was a reliever (that wasn't their closer). With that said, you could call their season a success simply for getting so close to .500. It shows that the AL East in 2023 might have been the toughest division in baseball history.
Additions / Subtractions
My prediction came true when the Red Sox traded Chris Sale to the Braves. They also sent Alex Verdugo, the prize of the Mookie Betts trade, to the hated Yankees. Justin Turner is gone, Christian Arroyo is gone, Adam Duvall is gone, James Paxton is gone. Most of these were replaced internally with youngsters. The main off-season acquisitions were outfielder Tyler O'Neill and starter Lucas Giolito who never got to throw a pitch before blowing out his elbow in Spring Training.
Most Important Hitter
Trevor Story
Trevor Story seemed to be one of those superstars looking for a payday that no one wanted to give him in the 2022 off-season. Eventually the Red Sox gave him a 6 year deal. Now, entering the third year of that deal, Story has only played 137 mediocre games in Boston. The Red Sox need Story to stay healthy and productive if they are to have any chance of being relevant this season.
Most Important Pitcher
Brayan Bello
Chris Sale is gone. Lucas Giolito is injured. All of a sudden, 24 year old Brayan Bello is the only one left to anchor this rotation. They have a lot of faith in the youngster, giving him an extension this off-season following a solid 2023. With that said, he needs to take some huge strides forward if he is to be a relied upon ace.
Prospect to Watch
Ceddanne Rafaela
There are several options for this spot for the 14th best farm system in baseball, sporting 4 players in the Top 100. Although Marcelo Mayer might end up being the best rookie in 2024, I'm going with the one that made the Opening Day roster. Ceddanne Rafaela has been given center field to start the season, and it's easy to see why. He is an elite defender. Even though the bat is still developing, his defense will keep him in the lineup and help the team this season.
2024 Prediction
5th in AL East
This division is so tough once again. The other four teams in the division could easily all make the playoffs. The Red Sox are kinda stuck. They are too good to tank and rebuild, but not good enough to contend in this division. They might be winning the AL Central, but they will once again sit around .500 and ride the cellar all season.
Fearless Prediction
This will be Alex Cora's last season as Red Sox manager.
Manager of the Red Sox right now has to be an impossible job. You're expected to be one of the elite teams, but you don't have the resources to compete. You're expected to be a big budget superteam, yet you traded away one of the best players in baseball a few seasons ago. Fans expect to make the postseason, but your best season might still find the team in the cellar. Alex Cora could be fired for PR purposes, showing the fans they don't accept mediocrity. I could also see him stepping away after the season simply for getting away from the pressure of an impossible situation.
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