For the Boston Red Sox, focusing on starting pitching this offseason makes perfect sense given the current state of their rotation. The team is in desperate need of an ace to anchor the staff, and Corbin Burnes is at the top of their wish list – a former Cy Young Award winner who can significantly upgrade the rotation. So, adding him would provide a much-needed boost to a staff that struggled in recent seasons. 

While the Red Sox have reportedly considered pursuing outfielder Juan Soto, MLB insider Mike Rodriguez noted that the chances of them landing him are slim. The competition for Soto will be fierce, particularly with high-spending teams like the New York Yankees in the mix. Even though Soto would be an exciting addition to the Boston lineup, the financial commitment required for a player of his caliber may put him out of the Red Sox’s reach this offseason.  

Blake Snell moves to no. 2 for the Red Sox 

According to Rodriguez, the Boston Red Sox’s top priority this offseason is to land ace right-hander Corbin Burnes. Rodriguez reported that the team is focusing heavily on Burnes, recognizing that their rotation is in dire need of a true frontline starter – if they’re unable to secure Burnes, the Red Sox will pivot to their backup option, left-hander Blake Snell, who would also help the rotation but at a different level of impact.

As for outfielder Juan Soto, Mike Rodriguez believes the chances of the Red Sox landing him are low due to competition from other teams, particularly the New York Yankees. He also speculated that it would be surprising if the Yankees allowed Soto to land in Boston, given the potential impact he could have in the AL East rivalry. But the Red Sox are definitely trying – the team representatives are meeting with Scott Boras this week. 

Will Juan Soto join the Red Sox?

A host of MLB teams are fighting to land Juan Soto. The New York Yankees and New York Mets are the clear favorites, both with deep pockets and postseason aspirations. But the competition is fierce, with the Toronto Blue Jays set to make the first move, eager to pair Soto with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Next in line are the Boston Red Sox, who will meet with Soto and agent Scott Boras in Southern California, followed by the Yankees and Mets. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and two ‘mystery’ teams round out the group of eight clubs that will be in the mix for Soto’s services this winter. For Red Sox fans, hearing their team linked to top-tier free agents has become a tired refrain in recent years, but this time feels different. After missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season, the Red Sox are finally ready to make a serious and hard push for a superstar like Soto.  

Under new president of baseball operations Craig Breslow, Boston is looking to re-establish itself as a major player in the market. The Red Sox aren’t stopping at the outfield – ESPN reports that Boston’s aggressiveness extends to the starting pitching market as well; whether they land Soto, a frontline starter, or both. It’s a bold approach and could reshape the franchise’s future if they can pull it off. The 2024-25 offseason is going to be one of the most important for Boston.