The Boston Red Sox faced significant setbacks this offseason as they missed out on two major acquisitions that could have bolstered their roster. One of the most notable losses was slugging outfielder Anthony Santander, who signed a lucrative deal worth over $90 million with their AL East rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays. Santander’s addition brings an immediate impact to the Blue Jays’ lineup, providing a powerful switch-hitting presence in the heart of their batting order.
Santander’s move is a particularly tough pill to swallow for Boston, given his consistent offensive production and clutch hitting ability. The 31-year-old delivered an impressive 2024 season with the Baltimore Orioles, hitting .235/.308/.506 with 44 home runs, 102 RBIs, and a 129 wRC+. His power and knack for delivering in key moments made him an ideal fit for the Red Sox, who were seeking to add more firepower to their lineup. Now, not only do they miss out on that upgrade, but their division rivals gain a significant edge, heightening the competition in the AL East.
While Boston’s outfield still has depth, the loss of Santander to Toronto underscores the Blue Jays’ aggressive approach to improving their roster. Despite challenges in attracting free agents to Canada, the Blue Jays secured a game-changing addition, leaving the Red Sox to reassess their offensive strategy for the upcoming season.
The disappointment didn’t end there for Boston. On the pitching side, the team failed to land elite left-handed reliever Tanner Scott, who signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Scott, who excelled with the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres last season, was a prime target for Boston’s bullpen overhaul. The lefty dominated in high-leverage situations, posting a 1.75 ERA over 72 innings while striking out 10.50 batters per nine. His reliability and ability to handle critical moments made him one of the most sought-after bullpen arms this offseason.
For Boston, Scott’s loss stings even more as they recently acquired Garrett Crochet via trade. The prospect of pairing Scott with Crochet could have created a dominant left-handed tandem capable of shutting down opposing lineups in late-inning situations. Without Scott, the Red Sox must look elsewhere to solidify their bullpen.
Now, the Red Sox front office faces the challenge of regrouping after these two missed opportunities. Santander’s departure to a division rival not only weakens their own lineup but strengthens Toronto’s. Meanwhile, Scott’s signing with the Dodgers removes one of the top bullpen options from the market, forcing Boston to pivot quickly to other targets.
In the hyper-competitive AL East, every move counts. If the Red Sox hope to keep pace with their rivals, they must act swiftly to secure the remaining top-tier talent before the offseason window closes.
