{"id":86945,"date":"2024-10-02T00:29:31","date_gmt":"2024-10-02T04:29:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=86945"},"modified":"2024-10-02T00:29:31","modified_gmt":"2024-10-02T04:29:31","slug":"red-sox-offseason-preview-building-for-contention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/10\/02\/red-sox-offseason-preview-building-for-contention\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Sox Offseason Preview: Building For Contention"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Boston Red Sox<\/a> have money to spend and players to trade. After a .500 season, the Sox have the ability to build a World Series contender. Before we look ahead at the offseason and what’s possible in 2025, let’s look at what went right and wrong for the Red Sox in 2024.<\/p>\n

Red Sox 2024 Offseason Preview<\/h2>\n

A Tale of Two Halves<\/h3>\n

The first half of 2024 was a surprise for the Red Sox and their fans. The team was 10 games above .500 and holding a firm grasp on a wild card position. Breakout seasons from Jarren Duran<\/a> and Tanner Houck<\/a> gave Boston an immense boost in both the lineup and rotation. Rookie outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela<\/a> filled in at shortstop after Trevor Story<\/a> suffered a shoulder injury, and journeyman Dominic Smith<\/a> replaced Triston Casas<\/a>, who also fell victim to a long-term injury. Despite adversities, the Red Sox found a way to succeed.<\/p>\n

At the half, Boston’s starters ranked fifth in the majors with a 3.56 ERA, and the bullpen ranked 11th with a 3.67 ERA. Furthermore, the offense took the identity of having the need for speed. They ranked second in doubles and triples, and sixth in stolen bases. Aggressive baserunning and dominant pitching helped pave the path to stacking wins and limiting losses.<\/p>\n

While the first 95 games of the year were a success for Boston, the following 67 acted as a nightmare. The Sox rotation failed to deliver quality starts, and the bullpen gave up leads almost every day. During that time, high-leverage relievers Kenley Jansen<\/a>, Chris Martin<\/a>, and Justin Slaten<\/a> all missed time simultaneously. To fill the void, the Red Sox acquired James Paxton<\/a>, Luis Garc\u00eda<\/a>, and Lucas Sims<\/a> at the deadline. Paxton added rotation depth, but in his third start partially tore his right calf muscle. His season at this point was over. Garc\u00eda, who dominated for the Los Angeles Angels<\/a> in the first half, was abysmal for Boston, posting a 8.22 ERA in 15 1\/3 IP. Sims, like Garcia, was bad in high-leverage situations.<\/p>\n

The reinforcements from Craig Breslow<\/a> were a complete failure and so was the second half. At the season-ending press conference, Alex Cora<\/a> said that he strongly believes that this year was the “last struggle” and success is on the horizon<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

Alex Cora referenced the promise of winning as one of the primary reasons for why he wanted to stay in Boston.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere we\u2019re going, it\u2019s gonna be fun \u2026 I truly believe this (year) is the last struggle.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/OXR9ueRUS5<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) September 30, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n