Juan Soto has been the talk of the town this offseason. Among all the interested teams, the Boston Red Sox have emerged as an unexpected candidate. Rumors of a three-hour meeting between Soto and some representatives from Boston’s management team are going around, including key figures like Craig Breslow, the chief baseball officer, Sam Kennedy, the team president, and Red Sox manager Alex Cora.

This update quickly sparked enthusiasm among Red Sox supporters, hinting at a move to uplift the team’s underwhelming offense. However, a recent statement made by a retired MLB catcher has thrown cold water on the situation, raising questions about the validity of these talks and whether the meeting was actually this long or “productive” as initially reported by them.

Red Sox kicks off free agency with their first meet with Juan Soto

Foul Territory posted a YouTube video on Friday, where MLB analyst and former Yankees catcher Erik Kratz questioned the Red Sox meeting report, specifically the duration of which the meeting lasted. Kratz said, “Why do they have to make a meeting about a professional baseball player, big leaguer, 3 hours long? I don’t think it was 3 hours.” Kratz added that maybe they had dinner and some wine for an hour or two after getting done with an hour of meeting.

Nonetheless, it’s evident that Boston is actively looking into options for enhancement purposes. For Soto’s case specifically, a potential trade could pave the way for a free-agent contract, with interested parties such as the Yankees and Mets also being considered. As the offseason unfolds, the Red Sox will have the task of deciding whether they are willing and able enough to meet the demands for a player of Soto’s caliber, or if this meeting was just a discussion.

Boston’s approach for 2025 – hitting or pitching?

As the Red Sox enter the 2025 offseason, their approach will be influenced by requirements in both the pitching and hitting fronts. Coming off a 79-83 record in 2024 with an average offense, the Boston front office must make choices on resource distribution. Despite ranking 9th in runs scored across the majors, the Red Sox offense fell short of expectations, particularly lacking power-hitting capabilities.

While Rafael Devers is really stepping up his game for Boston, Alex Verdugo and Triston Casas still have room for growth in their performance levels. The team might consider bringing in a hitter to strengthen the lineup. Nabbing Juan Soto seems like a fit given his ability to get on base and consistent 30-plus home run potential. However, the high cost in terms of prospects could pose a challenge when it comes to making a trade happen. Nevertheless, the priority lies in strengthening the pitching staff foremost for Boston.

In 2024, their starting rotation ranked 22nd in ERA at 4.76, with no standout ace to guide the team’s pitching efforts. Although Garrett Whitlock and Brayan Bello displayed glimpses of promise, the Red Sox lacked a seasoned top-tier starting pitcher. This is where talents such as Corbin Burnes or Blake Snell could make an impact. Former Cy Young recipient Burnes is a free agent now and might be open to a trade deal. Meanwhile, Snell, a 2024 NL Cy Young candidate, is expected to attract significant interest as a free agent. Given Boston’s challenges in the last few years, particularly in pitching.

Thus, acquiring one of these talented pitchers could significantly boost their chances of making it to the playoffs right away. In the end, the management team will have a decision ahead as they weigh the pros and cons of committing long-term funds for a top-tier pitcher against the short-term gains of bringing in a hitter like Juan Soto, who can instantly bring power and impact. Balancing these requirements, especially with payroll flexibility, will be central to how the Red Sox approach the offseason.