If the Boston Red Sox wanted to make a splash this offseason to bolster the rotation, the opportunities were there. But it seems the desire to see how their younger pitching prospects grow in 2024 was front of mind as they navigated this offseason.
The Red Sox’ main addition to the rotation this offseason was Lucas Giolito, a solid mid-rotation starter who is coming off the worst season of his career. As the calendar turns to March, it seems the only locks in the rotation are Brayan Bello, who looks as though he could be a potential ace, Giolito, and Nick Pivetta.
That has left Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck, Garrett Whitlock and Josh Winckowski to vie for two remaining spots.
Boston obviously would benefit from the addition of someone like Jordan Montgomery or Blake Snell. But both are Scott Boras-represented clients, whose asking prices ostensibly are playing a role in keeping them unsigned thus far.
Appearing Friday on the Greg Hill Show , Red Sox CBO Craig Breslow explained why there has been some reluctance to make a big splash for a starter.
“Some of those are pursuits that we didn’t line up on, some of them are driven by wanting to give every chance to these young guys to take a step forward,” Breslow said. “I think the blueprint that has been successful here for this ownership group for two decades has been developing homegrown talent and supplementing that talent with not just free agents, but impact, starpower free agents. I think that’s the model we’re going to attempt to replicate given how well it’s worked. But all of those things need to line up, both in terms of player interest and also timelines.
“I don’t think I’m saying anything that fans and listeners wouldn't know, which is that we have not had the splashy free agent signing (this offseason)," Breslow then conceded. “On the offensive side when you kind of go around the positions … we feel pretty comfortable with that group. If we pivot to the pitching side, that’s certainly where we’ve faced our share of criticism.
"But we’re trying to build out an infrastructure and trying to understand what we have with guys like Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock and Josh Winckowski and Kutter Crawford, and some of these guys who have shown that they have the ability to get Major League hitters out consistently. We have to understand whether or not they can take the next step to lock down rotation spots and be bona fide big league starters.”
It undoubtedly benefits the Red Sox long-term to see what they have in some of their internal options this year. Crawford took a big step in 2023, with his biggest flaw being his struggles to pitch effectively deep into the game. Winckowski and Whitlock both have shown the ability to be high-quality multi-inning relievers, so there’s room to dream about their potential as starters. Houck has impressive stuff and has seen success as a starter, but has struggled with consistency.
And it’s not as though Snell and Montgomery are without their flaws. Snell isn’t a year-to-year ace like Gerrit Cole is – he’s had his share of down seasons. Montgomery is coming off a remarkable campaign but historically has been a mid-rotation starter. Paying either ace money comes with its share of risk.
Even with fan frustration around the apparent unwillingness to spend, Montgomery and Snell might not be the guys to go all-out for – especially when next offseason the starting pitching class is stronger. So, unless the prices for either does come down, there is some credence to the belief that seeing what they have in their younger, cost-controlled arms is more beneficial to the Red Sox.
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