2024 Division Outlook: AL East
By Sam Holstine
Boston Red Sox
Key Additions
- 2B/SS Vaughn Grissom
- OF Tyler O'Neil
- RHP Lucas Giolito
- 1B C.J. Cron
Key Loses
- LHP Chris Sale
- OF Alex Verdugo
- LHP James Paxton
- OF Adam Duvall
- DH Justin Turner
When evaluating the Red Sox, I can't help but describe them as weird. They play in the stacked AL East and have a lackluster roster, at least when compared to the other teams in the divisions. Therefore, I expect them to finish last in their division for the third straight year, but I also wouldn't be surprised if they made some noise towards the end of the season, at the very least playing spoiler.
The biggest star on the Red Sox roster is the guy handling the hot corner - Rafael Devers. The Red Sox announced the contract extension of Devers in January, perhaps the best news for the Boston faithful this offseason. Devers looks to be the most prolific hitter in this Red Sox lineup once again, and it'll be interesting to watch who steps up as major contributors for Boston. Trevor Story will have some hefty expectations placed on him for 2024, as the Red Sox inked the slugger to a 6 year, $140 million heading into the 2022 season. Story's time in Boston has been plagued with injuries, leading him to an average inaugural season, followed by a horrendous sophomore season. Story's health and production very well may be a make or break for the Red Sox. Tyler O'Neil is in a similar situation, as the outfielder hopes for a rebound season in Boston. Masataka Yoshida, Triston Casas, and Jarren Duran all look to be offensive contributors in Alex Cora's lineup, which is then rounded out with Ceddanne Rafaela, Emmanuel Valdez, and, Connor Wong. There is some firepower in Boston's lineup, mainly thanks to Rafael Devers, but there are so many question marks outside of Devers. While projected to begin the season on the IL, I do have to mention trade acquisition Vaughn Grissom, as the Red Sox hope to see what they got in the youngster.
Boston's pitching staff looks to be a question mark as well. The Red Sox went out and inked Lucas Giolito to a 2-year, $38.5 million deal, just to be rewarded with him having to miss the 2024 season with an elbow injury. That puts Nick Pivetta and Brayan Bello as their projected 1-2 starters, a job neither seem too fit for. Pivetta has been durable in his time in Boston, but has yet to fully establish consistency as a starter. On Bello's side, the Red Sox made it known they believe in the young starter after they locked him up with a 6-year extension. Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck, and Garret Whitlock project to be the last three starters in Boston's rotation. In my eyes, all three guys have strong potential, but just like Boston's front office, we are waiting to see that potential turn into sustained results. Future Hall of Famer Kenley Jansen will serve as Boston's closer once again, with 2023 Cy Young award votes-getter Chris Martin joining him in the backend of the bullpen.