The Boston Red Sox appear poised for a transformative offseason, with manager Alex Cora expressing confidence in the organization’s plans to address key roster deficiencies. Speaking with Chris Cotillo of *MassLive*, Cora described the team’s strategy as “very aggressive” and emphasized the focus on building a stronger major league roster. This marks a significant shift from previous years, where the emphasis often leaned more toward player development.
“We have a plan in place,” Cora stated. “We know there are certain aspects of the roster that we need to improve, and I think we’re going to be very aggressive in addressing them.” The Red Sox have already been linked to several high-profile players, including free agents Juan Soto, Teoscar Hernández, Blake Snell, Max Fried, and Nathan Eovaldi. Additionally, they are rumored to be exploring trade opportunities, notably targeting White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet, though his acquisition may require a considerable package.
Following a disappointing 81-81 season riddled with injuries and inconsistency, the Red Sox are eager to turn things around. While players like Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu provided bright spots, Cora acknowledged that these individual successes are not enough to secure consistent team victories. “We’ve made progress, and there have been some positive individual stories, but there’s still a lot of work to do,” he remarked. “The strides we’ve taken put us in a good place, but the focus now is on taking the next big step forward.”
Cora’s confidence in the team’s direction comes after signing a three-year contract extension in July, signaling ownership’s faith in his leadership. This offseason feels particularly critical, especially after unmet expectations in 2023, when promises of a “full-throttle” approach to team-building fell short. Cora reiterated his belief that this time will be different, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to executing their ambitious plans before Opening Day.
Sports agent Scott Boras, who represents several marquee free agents, echoed Cora’s sentiments. He recently stated that the Red Sox ownership is determined to secure top-tier talent and has conveyed their intention to be active in the free-agent market. As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on Boston to see if their aggressive strategy translates into meaningful roster upgrades and a stronger showing in 2025.
