Three Big-Picture Red Sox Thoughts After 2024 MLB GM Meetings

The Boston Red Sox took an aggressive tone after missing the postseason for the third straight season.

The end of season press conference from Alex Cora, Craig Breslow and Sam Kennedy offered a resounding motivation to pursue top talent for the first time in years and placed emphasis on winning the American League East in 2025.

That’s not a crazy expectation for the Red Sox. They just need to take proper action this offseason to make the necessary moves that strengthen Boston’s young core.

Breslow and the front office made their appearances at the MLB GM meetings last week in San Antonio, Texas where that message spread further around baseball circles. That’s a good sign for optimism for a busy offseason. Now, it’s time for Boston to take action.

Here are three big-picture takeaways for the Red Sox offseason following the MLB GM meetings.

Walk The Walk?
The GM meetings brought several positive reports that the Red Sox, who have handed out just one $100 million contract to an external free agent since 2019, are ready to use their assets to make a splash this winter.

Whether in the department of starting pitching, late-inning relievers or right-handed power, the Red Sox have the ability to make a big trade or hand out legitimate money to talented players on the open market. Every report from the week pointed toward a return to roster-building habits of Red Sox championship teams of the past.

Talking the talk is great. Now, the Red Sox have to bring those rumblings to life in the coming weeks with impact moves in what’s sure to be a competitive market for talent acquisition across the league.

This Feels Like Boston’s Path To Their Next Ace
The Red Sox need a frontline starting pitcher this winter. No doubt about it.

There are plenty of capable free agents to fill that role from Corbin Burnes and Max Fried to a tier lower with solid arms such as Nathan Eovaldi. With the way conversations went last week in San Antonio, this potential trade sounds like the likely option for the Red Sox if they bring in an ace.

The Chicago White Sox appear ready to make a deal to move their talented left-hander Garrett Crochet and the Red Sox reportedly are right in the middle of potential suitors.

What would a potential package look like to acquire Crochet? Time will tell.

When Does The First Move Come?
Breslow made his first trade of the offseason last year on Nov. 17 when the Red Sox traded Luis Urías to the Seattle Mariners for Isaiah Campbell. Boston followed that up with the deal to acquire Tyler O’Neill from the St. Louis Cardinals on Dec. 8.

The MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas, Texas begin Dec. 9. That seems like a ballpark area for the first impact move.

Don’t forget Nick Pivetta’s deadline to accept or decline his qualifying offer is Nov. 19.