Red Sox’s Bold Move Sets Standard for Success

The offseason for the Boston Red Sox has been marked by frustration, as the team’s ownership has shown reluctance to invest in the franchise, especially after consecutive last-place finishes in the American League East. This stance has made the job of Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow significantly more challenging. However, despite these obstacles, Breslow, in his first stint leading baseball operations, seems to be finding his stride.

Breslow inherited a roster lacking pitching depth across all levels of the organization. Through a series of strategic moves, Boston has managed to enhance both its short-term competitiveness and long-term prospects. One such move was the trade of right-hander John Schreiber to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for highly regarded starting pitching prospect David Sandlin. While this transaction was lauded by analysts, it further frustrated a fanbase tired of witnessing underperformance from the big-league roster.

However, Breslow leveraged the vacancy created by Schreiber’s departure to secure the services of right-hander Liam Hendricks, a two-time Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year. Hendricks was signed to a lucrative two-year, $10 million deal, with additional incentives and a mutual option for 2026. This signing not only strengthened the Red Sox bullpen at the major league level but also added a promising young player to the organization’s pitching prospect pool.

Although Hendricks will be sidelined for a significant period due to Tommy John surgery, Boston’s deep bullpen can weather his absence until his return, anticipated in the second half of the season. There’s potential for Hendricks to assume the closer role for the team in 2025. Once placed on the 60-day injured list, the Red Sox will regain flexibility with a roster spot, allowing them to explore further opportunities.

Breslow finds himself operating within tight constraints until he can demonstrate the team’s value and merit investment. Despite the challenging circumstances, this type of strategic maneuvering represents the approach he should continue to pursue.