Two Scenarios For Red Sox Fans To Consider Before MLB Winter Meetings

MLB teams arrive in Dallas this week before the official start of the winter meetings Monday, and the Red Sox will have to make a pivotal decision.

Boston is seemingly putting a lot of time and resources into pursuing Juan Soto. The Red Sox also reportedly have their eye on other top names in the market, but the price for the All-Star outfielder could limit the club’s options.

That’s why we see two scenarios for Boston to consider before the winter meetings. Let’s start with the big guy.

SIGN JUAN SOTO
As we mentioned, Soto is expected to get Shohei Ohtani-level money, and it will be worth every penny. The 26-year-old would already be a Hall of Famer if he retired today, and he’s the perfect star to be the face of the franchise. Soto already is being compared to Ted Williams so why not pair him with the ballpark where the Red Sox created his legacy? The offense isn’t exactly Boston’s biggest need, but Soto gives you the kind of comfort where you don’t have to worry about a second-half slump. The team’s top brass noted they want the franchise to get back to postseason baseball, and Soto is the perfect player to pair that goal with. The All-Star is a World Series champion and a proven clutch hitter when the lights are the brightest. Don’t be mistaken by back-to-back headline offseasons, players like Soto aren’t available that often, so the Red Sox are right in trying to do what it takes to sign him.

LOCK UP TWO ACES
Insiders believe the Red Sox aren’t out of the pitcher market even if they do sign Soto. However, things do get complicated as to who they could sign. Boston might only be able to get one in free agency, but it’s also very likely that the teams that miss out on Soto pivot and spend their remaining dollars on the likes of Corbin Burnes and Max Fried. The trade market is an option — Garrett Crochet, for example — but Boston might be better suited to just lock up the top two pitchers remaining on the market while also retaining its top prospects and young players. There’s nothing like watching a clutch home run, but the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees also were carried by their elite pitching staffs. The Red Sox saw breakout campaigns from Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck, but it was clear they slowed down after the All-Star break. Signing guys like Burnes and Fried would alleviate those concerns and resolve one of the biggest needs of the team. The Red Sox have plenty of offensive talent, and Alex Cora has proven to be a sharp mind to boost the offense further.

But what do you think? Should the Red Sox sign Soto, or should they sign two top-tier starting pitchers like Burnes and Fried? Sound off in the comments.