Just don’t say ‘full throttle’
Happy Thursday.
The Red Sox are trying to get ahead of the message about a slow offseason for the fifth year in a row. Since dismantling serious aspirations of competing by trading Mookie Betts and the contract of David Price for…Connor Wong and the joy of watching Alex Verdugo end the World Series in pinstripes offseasons have been disappointing. But no more!
“Even if it takes us over the CBT,” said Kennedy, referring to the first threshold of the competitive balance tax that stands at $241 million next year. “Our priority is 90 to 95 wins, and winning the American League East, and winning the division for multiple years.”
Which, on the one hand, until moves are made this is possibly another setup for disappointment. He mentions Juan Soto. Granted there is only one Soto and we have no idea what it is he really wants since every contract will be rich beyond dreams.
On the other hand though the language is different. This isn’t “we have room to spend” or “there’s a budget but I’m not saying what it is.” This is a willingness to make a move to go to or exceed the luxury tax. And if you dream on the Big Four and some other guys working their way up the Red Sox might have a few positions making the minimum starting in 2025 or 2026 and playing at a high level. That’s where you add big ticket players.
Again, we wait and see. But I can’t give up on 2005 in November.
Talk about what you want and be good to one another.