{"id":31245,"date":"2025-02-03T23:16:49","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T23:16:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=31245"},"modified":"2025-02-03T23:16:49","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T23:16:49","slug":"sam-kennedy-red-sox-have-taken-aggressive-approach-still-have-ability-to-add-to-roster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=31245","title":{"rendered":"Sam Kennedy: Red Sox have taken \u2018aggressive approach,\u2019 still have \u2018ability to add\u2019 to roster"},"content":{"rendered":"
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BOSTON \u2014 In November, Red Sox president\/CEO Sam Kennedy said there was an \u201cextreme urgency\u201d within the organization to have an aggressive offseason and get back to competing for an American League East title in 2025.<\/p>\n

In the weeks since, Boston has added a true No. 1 starter (Garrett Crochet) in a trade with the White Sox but has been less aggressive on the free agent market, committing a total of approximately $43 million for four pitchers (Walker Buehler, Patrick Sandoval, Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson). As of Monday, the club\u2019s payroll projects to be somewhere around $215 million \u2014\u00a0less than their projected $226 million number from 2024 and well short of the first competitive balance tax (CBT) threshold of $241 million. There\u2019s still a glaring hole in the lineup with Boston failing, at least to this point, to replace Tyler O\u2019Neill\u2019s production from the right side.<\/p>\n

Speaking outside Fenway Park as part of the team\u2019s \u201cTruck Day\u201d festivities Monday, Kennedy contended that Boston has acted decisively and aggressively this winter while leaving the door open for further additions \u2014\u00a0even significant ones, \u201cdepending upon how things play out here over the next couple weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do,\u201d he said when asked if the club has acted with the urgency he spoke about in November. \u201cThe approach Bres (Craig Breslow) took was one of extreme aggression, extreme urgency. That doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re going to end up signing every single free agent you engage with or complete trades that you embark on. It has been great to see the aggressive approach and the sense of urgency within baseball operations to improve.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have the ability to add, if we can match up on deals that make sense, in terms of where we stand right now. I was asked the question earlier in the offseason about the ability to spend. We were engaged in the Juan Soto negotiations. It is something we have the ability to flexible (with), but it is so player and deal-specific. We\u2019re going to do what\u2019s right for the Red Sox for the short-term, trying to put a team out there that\u2019s built to win in 2025, but also what makes sense for the long term.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always a difficult line to walk, that balance. We get criticized for our messaging on that front and we understand that. It\u2019s hard to navigate the short term and the long term. The only way to really follow up on that and have credibility and trust from our fans is to win baseball games. That\u2019s what we need to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kennedy reiterated that adding right-handed pop remains a priority for Boston, though the list of available options is a short one. Top free agent Alex Bregman remains available, as does Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, a clear trade candidate who has made it clear that Boston is a preferred destination. Lesser free agent options who might fit the Red Sox include second baseman Brendan Rodgers and outfielder Randal Grichuk.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s still a goal. It has been since the beginning,\u201d Kennedy said. \u201cObviously with Vaughn (Grissom )and Trevor (Story) hopefully coming into spring training healthy, we feel better about the more balanced nature of the lineup. But if we can add a right-handed bat, we would love to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bregman, who is re-engaged in talks with the Astros while also staying in touch with the Blue Jays, Cubs and other teams, is perhaps the cleanest fit for the Red Sox as a proven veteran who would take over at second base. There has been an internal debate about pursuing Bregman, however, with concerns over giving him the long-term deal he seeks and potentially blocking top prospect Kristian Campbell\u2019s clearest path to playing time. Kennedy, who along with manager Alex Cora has been known to be a behind-the-scenes proponent of a Bregman deal, wouldn\u2019t get into specifics about the team\u2019s talks with the infielder.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not allowed to talk about any specific free agent negotiations or anything,\u201d Kennedy said, \u201cbut given that he\u2019s unsigned, I think that speaks for itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Red Sox could also look to add a bullpen arm to a core group that is expected to include Chapman, Wilson, Liam Hendriks, Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock but the options have dwindled on that market, too. Veteran David Robertson represents a clear fit, as do trade candidates Ryan Helsley (St. Louis) and Robert Su\u00e1rez (San Diego), who will each make significant money in 2025. Kennedy made clear that the Red Sox are willing to add payroll if there\u2019s a move to be made.<\/p>\n

\u201cDefinitely don\u2019t think we\u2019re done trying to add to this complement of guys we have,\u201d Kennedy said, speaking about the roster as a whole. \u201cExcited about who we have but also have room to continue to add.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s confidence in this group, for sure, starting with Alex Cora and the coaching staff. But we\u2019d like to add more. You\u2019d always like to add more.\u201d<\/p>\n

The club also plans to continue aggressively pursuing contract extensions with some of its younger players, including Crochet, who with only two years under team control is a major priority. The financial flexibility could help Boston to that end as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s definitely extension conversations going on,\u201d Kennedy said. \u201cI think those will heat up as we get into spring training.\u201d<\/p>\n