It’s becoming increasingly apparent that what started as an optimistic summer for the Red Sox is fading into a disappointing fall, as Boston now trails by 4.0 games in the wild-card race. Although the season isn’t over yet, the team’s lack of strong pitching—due to a mix of inexperienced starters and recent injuries—has hampered their ability to keep pace with the American League contenders.
However, there’s still reason for optimism. The 2024-25 offseason is expected to feature a deep and talented pool of free agents. With the promise of the Red Sox’s offensive lineup and a promising group of young prospects, the future at Fenway Park could be looking up. This could potentially persuade the usually conservative Red Sox ownership to spend on a marquee player or two in the coming months.
One intriguing possibility is the Red Sox potentially pursuing the biggest name available: Yankees slugger Juan Soto. ESPN’s MLB insider Jeff Passan has identified the Red Sox as a possible contender for Soto, despite Passan labeling them as a “long shot.” Soto, who is batting .294 with a .424 on-base percentage and a .595 slugging percentage, is expected to command a contract worth at least $500 million. Passan suggests that the real competition for Soto will likely be between the Mets and the Yankees.
Nevertheless, the Red Sox might still make an attempt to sign Soto, even if they’re considered a long shot. Passan notes that while the eventual contract could surpass $500 million, potentially reaching $530 million according to Spotrac’s projections, this is a figure that would deter most teams. The Red Sox, along with the Chicago Cubs and both Los Angeles teams, could afford such a deal but are seen as unlikely to seriously pursue it.
Given the Red Sox’s recent history of cautious spending, even a mere offer would be notable. If they do decide to invest significantly, they might consider other high-profile free agents such as Corbin Burnes or Blake Snell instead.
Speculation about Soto joining the Mets has been ongoing since the spring, particularly after it became clear that Soto wouldn’t be extending his contract with the Yankees and would enter free agency. The Yankees had previously traded a significant package to acquire Soto and Trent Grisham, making the prospect of losing him without compensation particularly painful.
In March, Jon Heyman of the New York Post hinted that the Mets, led by Steve Cohen, could emerge as a major competitor for Soto’s services, a possibility that continues to gain traction. While the Red Sox being considered a potential suitor is intriguing, it remains uncertain how serious their pursuit of Soto will be.