On Thursday, the Boston Red Sox shockingly fired chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom. Here are three things that are prominently on their offseason wish list, headlined by replacing Bloom.
The Boston Red Sox were primed to have an interesting offseason. Then they shockingly fired Chaim Bloom, their chief baseball officer on Thursday, and it's put the spotlight directly on the organization with 17 games remaining.
It wasn't surprising that the Red Sox fired Bloom. The timing of it was just really, really strange. Some baseball people believe that the Red Sox wanted to have ample time finding his replacement so they didn't start the offseason behind the eight ball. Others believe that ownership had enough of Bloom's indecisiveness when it came to trade and free-agent conversations.
But how much of the Red Sox's struggles were tied to Bloom? After all, his first act with the team was trading Mookie Betts, a move that was largely driven by ownership. Their payroll, years after it ranked in the top-3 in baseball, ranked 11th in baseball this season – a further indication that ownership was cutting costs on the field.
Nonetheless, the Red Sox felt as if moving on from Bloom was the right move. And it headlines the questions that surround the team heading into the offseason.
MLB Rumors: Red Sox must find Chaim Bloom's replacement
The immediate speculation after the Red Sox fired Chaim Bloom was that the team would hire Theo Epstein to replace him. That, to my knowledge, is not happening. Nor is it something that the team is considering.
It's unclear who the Red Sox are considering for the position, though one candidate who could make sense is Arizona Diamondbacks assistant general manager Amiel Sawdaye. He has interviewed for numerous general manager positions in recent years and spent 15 seasons in Boston before leaving for Arizona.
It's just my own speculation, of course. I don't know if Sawdaye is on their list or not. But considering his ties to the organization, and how respected he is across baseball, it certainly wouldn't be a surprise to see him interviewed in the coming weeks.
But this job, even with the payroll restrictions, figures to be coveted. So there will be plenty of competition.
MLB Rumors: Red Sox must improve the pitching staff
The Red Sox's offense, at least statistically, has been one of the better units in baseball this season, ranking seventh in OPS (.765) and eighth in runs scored (723). But it's been the pitching staff that has really let them down.
This season, the Red Sox have a team ERA of 4.57 that ranks 21st in baseball. Their rotation has a 4.86 ERA, which ranks 23rd, and their bullpen has a 4.30 ERA, which ranks 20th in baseball. And while the team has exceeded expectations in 2023, their pitching staff has to be better in 2024 for the team to contend in the American League.
For starters, the Red Sox must determine what to do with Corey Kluber and his $11 million club option, but his numbers this season – a 7.04 ERA in 15 games (nine starts) – would seem to indicate that will be an easy decision for the new head of baseball operations.
But the Red Sox need to be aggressive in addressing its pitching staff this winter, targeting both starters and relievers. They can't afford more high-priced, aging veterans. A temporary bandaid isn't going to solve their long-term problems, and this season further underscored that.
MLB Rumors: What should the Red Sox do with Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner
At the trade deadline, the Miami Marlins expressed serious interest in acquiring Justin Turner, and at one point believed a trade had a chance at happening.
There were other teams that expressed interest in closer Kenley Jansen, who is as decorated of a closer as there is in baseball. There were no indications that a deal was close, however, or if the team even entertained inquiries.
But look at where the Red Sox are at now. They are in last place in the American League East and are seemingly far away from being a legitimate World Series contender. Does it make sense to have two players in their mid-to-upper 30s in Turner (39) and Jansen (36)? Or should the team attempt to move both players?
For Turner at least, they may not have that luxury. He holds a $13.4 million player option for 2024 and could decline that for another chance at free agency, which only bolsters the case for why they should have moved him at this past deadline.
But there figures to be interest in Jansen, even at his $16 million salary, and they should find a taker for him. That is, of course, if the team decides it's best to move on from him.
