The Red Sox May Be Saving Up For 2024

Despite losing Xander Bogaerts and JD Martinez, the Boston Red Sox have had a rather active offseason.

They signed Masataka Yoshida, Justin Turner, Kenley Jansen, Joely Rodriguez, Corey Kluber and Chris Martin, and they extended team star Rafael Devers.

It’s probably not the offseason that fans had in mind – they were really keen on retaining Bogaerts, in particular – but they have brought in some talent and finally extended a franchise cornerstone.

Better yet, the next two seasons could be really interesting from a free agency perspective.

Joon Lee, an ESPN writer, analyzes what could happen down the road.

“With Rafael Devers locked up, Red Sox could have between $47.4 and $70.65 million (dependent on club options for Corey Kluber, Matt Barnes and Joely Rodriguez) heading into next offseason. 2024 Free-Agent Class includes: Shohei Ohtani, Manny Machado, Julio Urias, Max Scherzer,” he tweeted.

With Rafael Devers locked up, Red Sox could have between $47.4 and $70.65 million (dependent on club options for Corey Kluber, Matt Barnes and Joely Rodriguez) heading into next offseason

2024 Free-Agent Class includes:

Shohei Ohtani
Manny Machado
Julio Urias
Max Scherzer

— Joon Lee (@joonlee) January 5, 2023

Machado has a long-term contract but could (and probably will) opt out after 2023, which is why he is on the list.

The Red Sox heavily scouted Ohtani back in the day, in 2017, before he decided to join the Los Angeles Angels.

They could very well be saving to offer him a monumental, historic contract.

If they swing and miss there, they could turn to Machado; and if they want to focus on pitching, Urias and Scherzer represent excellent alternatives.

If you want to go another year into the future, the Red Sox can find Juan Soto as a free agent.

The ultra-talented outfielder has notoriously said he prefers to go year to year and reach free agency rather than signing an extension.

Ohtani and Soto could both command more than $500 million (well, Ohtani could be worth way more), and the Red Sox could be players for at least one or them.