Boston Red Sox fans were not thrilled with some of the choices the team’s brass made this decision, and it seems that many current and former decision-makers in MLB were not impressed by the Sox offseason either.
After reaching the American League Championship Series in 2021, the Boston Red Sox had a down year in 2022. The team finished in last place in a deep AL East with a 78-84 record. Far from the result that the legendary franchise was hoping for. It is why this offseason was a pivotal one for the Red Sox, however, their decisions over the winter have received mixed results from fans and people within the industry.
Last week, The Athletic MLB insider Jayson Stark spoke with nearly 30 current and former MLB executives, as well as coaches and scouts, and the Red Sox were voted the fourth least improved team ahead of the new season, only behind the Tigers, A’s, and White Sox.
One of the biggest head scratches for the team was being outbid for homegrown superstar Xander Bogaerts by the San Diego Padres. It was a move one responder to the poll claimed is a morale killer with the Boston fanbase.
“When you’re in the place the Red Sox are with their fan base and you let a guy like this leave, it’s not just about replacing the player on the field. it’s impossible to replace what he means to those fans.”
– Anonymous MLB industry insider on Red Sox
Boston Red Sox big free agent additions receive poor reviews inside MLB
To balance the loss of Bogaerts, the Boston Red Sox made two major free-agent additions. They addressed their closer weakness by signing proven veteran Kenley Jansen and added top Japanese everyday player Masataka Yoshida. However, both were not well received by the industry insiders polled by The Athletic.
On the Yoshida signing, one respondent said “I don’t like that one, especially considering the team it came from.” A second said, “You mean that’s where you’re going to extend yourself? That’s a head-scratcher.”
The Yoshida signing received the most votes for the worst MLB free agent signing for 2023. Jansen’s addition also received four of the 29 votes submitted for worst signing.
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