MLB Free Agency Signings: How Does This Impact the Boston Red Sox?

MLB Free Agency Signings: How Does This Impact the Boston Red Sox?
Sun 14th February 2021

The Boston Red Sox fell to last place in the AL East last year. The team has hopes that it will rebound in 2021, especially with Chris Sale and Eduardo Rodriguez both coming back healthy.

But the team has been seeing some changes with new Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom looking to produce long-term depth. The Red Sox have done a few things in the MLB free agency period to be competitive in 2021, but the team is focusing mainly on trying to build from within a little further.

The rest of the AL East has also been active in trying to bring in new players. It may be a while before the Red Sox can get back to being as productive as the team was in the past.

New Players

The team added starting pitcher Garrett Richards from the San Diego Padres on a one-year deal. Richards will likely be in the third or fourth spot in the rotation following Sale and Rodriguez returning.


Matt Andriese will join the bullpen from the Los Angeles Angels. He had 33 strikeouts out of the bullpen for the Angels last season, but he also had a 4.50 ERA. Andriese is hoping that the unique layout of Fenway Park might help him keep that ERA under control.

The Red Sox also signed second baseman Enrique Hernandez to a two-year contract. Hernandez was a helpful role player with last year’s World Series-winning Los Angeles Dodgers team.

Hunter Renfroe also joined the club from the Tampa Bay Rays. The outfielder had a .156 average for the Rays last season. He also had eight home runs, so there’s a chance he might use Fenway Park’s Green Monster and Pesky’s Pole to his advantage.

But much of the Red Sox’s efforts have been about building depth. Some of the free agents the Red Sox acquired this year including third base prospect Jack Lopez, outfielder Michael Gettys, and starting pitcher Daniel Gossett.

All of these players will likely start the season with their AAA club in Worcester, although there might be room for one of them if someone does well during the spring training season.

Departures

The most prominent departure for the Boston Red Sox entails the retirement of second baseman Dustin Pedroia. He had been a staple in the Red Sox infield for years, so his departure will be noticeable this year.

Pedroia isn’t the only person who left, as outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is expected to depart on the market. The team has also chosen to part ways with starting pitcher Zack Godley, who went 0-4 with an 8.16 ERA last year. Godley is expected to be picked up elsewhere as a minor league free agent.

Elsewhere in the AL East

The Boston Red Sox will bear with a few challenges in getting back in the playoffs, as the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays were both very active on the free agent market. The team brought in Corey Kluber, plus they got Jameson Taillon through a trade.

Those two starting pitchers will make the Yankees more competitive. The Blue Jays were also active for a second straight season, as they brought Marcus Semien and George Springer.

The general feeling for the Boston Red Sox in 2021 isn’t very strong, as the free agent market hasn’t been as helpful to them as they wish.

The team’s new acquisitions aren’t too exciting, plus the rest of the division has been very competitive on the market. Expect the Red Sox to struggle in 2021, but don’t count them to finish behind the Baltimore Orioles in their division.

The MLB season is almost upon us! If you are like us, then you are counting down the days until the season opener. But until then, make sure you check out our MLB hub page, for all the latest on what’s going on in baseball.

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