After an unexpected ALCS run in 2021, the Boston Red Sox now find themselves in a challenging position three seasons later. Over the past two seasons, they’ve struggled, finishing with a 78-84 record each time, landing them at the bottom of the American League East. With a roster mix of veterans and some young talent, the outlook for the Red Sox breaking out of this middle-of-the-pack status seems uncertain, especially given the competitiveness of their division.
The team’s recent history has been a rollercoaster for fans. They traded away Mookie Betts after the 2019 season and let Xander Bogaerts leave in free agency last offseason. However, they secured Rafael Devers with a long-term extension and made significant signings in Trevor Story and Masataka Yoshida. Despite these moves, the overall direction of the team feels ambiguous.
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The strength of the Red Sox lies in their lineup, particularly with Devers, who has consistently performed at an All-Star level over the past three seasons. Triston Casas also shows promise as a budding star, following a strong debut season. Masataka Yoshida, while showing potential, needs to improve his consistency, while Trevor Story has yet to live up to expectations since joining the team.
On the pitching side, the outlook is less optimistic. Lucas Giolito, their major offseason acquisition, has struggled recently, and the rotation overall lacks stability, especially after trading away Chris Sale. The bullpen, anchored by veterans Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen, looks to maintain its middle-of-the-pack status from the previous year.
The Red Sox are projected to finish around .500, reflecting their status in between being contenders and rebuilders. However, in the tough AL East, making significant strides will be challenging. While playoffs are not out of the question, the team will need strong performances and pleasant surprises to make a real impact in the 2024 season.
