BOSTON — Eleven months ago at Craig Breslow’s introductory press conference as chief baseball officer of the Boston Red Sox, chairman Tom Werner promised a “full throttle” offseason and a different team in 2024.
On Monday, for the third straight year, the Red Sox held their end-of-season press conference earlier than they would have liked after an 81-81 regular season.
Sure, there was a three-win improvement from their back-to-back 78-84 records the previous two years, but 2024 was ultimately another disappointment, a letdown after a surprisingly successful first half.
Against that backdrop, more promises for change from the leadership group rang hollow on Monday.
Breslow, manager Alex Cora and CEO Sam Kennedy said all the right things about needing to be better and not doing enough. But one thing Kennedy said held the most weight.
“We’re going to work tirelessly to get us back where we belong in the American League East. That’s our commitment to do everything we can,” he said. “But talk is cheap right now. Words are hollow. But that’s what we’re going to work on this offseason.”
If the Red Sox spend this winter and if the team arrives in spring training markedly improved, then maybe the club can start to regain some trust from its fanbase. Until then, there will be more waiting.
Kennedy was asked if ownership had done enough to support the team this season.
“No, we’re not there (in the postseason). That’s on us,” he said. “I mean, you can phrase it any way you want, but when you fall short of your expectations, you can always do more.”
“Talk is cheap… but that’s what we’re going to work on this offseason.”
Sam Kennedy spoke on the Red Sox goals for next season. pic.twitter.com/c45qUjZwwT
— NESN (@NESN) September 30, 2024
Kennedy, though, demurred when asked about a potential increase in payroll, citing a competitive advantage in not divulging numbers. The Red Sox 2024 payroll of roughly $227 million (for collective bargaining tax purposes), came up about $10 million below the CBT threshold of $237 million.
The Red Sox cut back spending in recent years and were no longer at the top of the league in payroll. Whether that will change this winter will once again be a question at the forefront for fans.
“We asked our fans to sacrifice a lot to be patient as we build the foundation that would enable us to meet those goals,” Breslow said. “I think we’re here. I think we’re ready to deliver.”
But it’s fair to wonder what form that will take.
Breslow took blame for the club’s failures and insisted he had not received mandates on how to spend or build the roster.
“At no point did I get a directive from ownership about a baseball operations decision,” he said. “I feel like as the chief baseball officer, ultimately I’m accountable to baseball decisions. If we feel like there’s an opportunity to improve the team via a certain pathway, I feel very confident that not only will we have the resources, but also the endorsement of ownership.”
Among the most pressing needs for the Red Sox is more pitching. Breslow cited the merits of adding top-end starters to the rotation while also noting Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford took steps forward.
“Every team in baseball is well served by having someone at the front of the rotation that can win a game when the team needs it, win a playoff game,” he said. “I think fortunately, we saw a number of guys in the rotation this year take a step forward. I don’t want to devalue the job that guys like Tanner and Brayan and Kutter and others did. But at the same time, we need to get better, and we need to be open to any opportunity to do that.”
Is that a way of complimenting the existing core while suggesting a more veteran frontline starter is a priority? Or is that a way of saying the existing group will be expected to take the next step?
In addition to fortifying the rotation, in whatever form that may take, and bolstering the bullpen, Breslow has cited balancing out the lineup with more right-handed bats as a necessity. He did suggest he’s met with all of the team’s impending free agents, including Tyler O’Neill, about potential returns. He noted there would be no “untouchable” trade candidates in the majors or in the farm system. And to avoid another dreadful defensive season, he said they’ve begun assessing personnel changes, but also have started to revamp training regimens for players, hoping to add physicality and strength, something they also hope will help with what’s become an annual second-half slide in the standings.
While Breslow said they have not had discussions about moving Rafael Devers off third base, he said if they were to have those discussions it would be an internal matter first. Changes to the coaching staff seem likely, but there have been no decisions made yet.
For his part, Cora struck an optimistic tone despite three years of mediocrity.
“I truly believe this is the last struggle, to be honest,” he said. “I think this is it. There were some positives. There were a lot of negatives. I think where we’re going as an organization is going to be fun again. It starts this offseason …We’re shooting for the division and I think we’re going to be capable of that next year.”
Breslow has a long to-do list this winter. The training wheels are off and the pressure will only mount for him to fix this years-long malaise. Talk is indeed cheap, but maybe the Red Sox will start to put their money where their mouth is this winter.
“I can assure you that the feeling is that our fans have been through a lot, they’ve been patient,” Kennedy said. “It’s time to get back to where we belong.”
(Photo of Tyler O’Neill: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
