Unrested surrounding for the Red Sox weeks before the beginning of the 2023
season
With approximately nine weeks to go until the
beginning of the 2023 MLB season,
there appears to be a lot of unrest surrounding the Boston Red Sox at the
moment.
Indeed, the time between now and March 30, 2023, should be being spent preparing
for the upcoming season. The Red Sox had a year to forget in Alex Cora’s second
year of his second spell with the team as manager, as they finished last in the
American League East division with a losing record of 78-84.
Naturally, there will be many that will be expecting to see more from the team,
although it does appear that there is some discontent with the way things are
going in Boston for the franchise.
While there will have been many fans in and around the Massachusetts area that
will have been hoping to see plenty of movement in the offseason, those same
fans have been left disappointed by the lack of action that has been witnessed.
In fact, many have since decided to bemoan the lack of activity completed by the
front office by deciding to make their voices heard in the form of boos. Having
held Winter Weekend in Springfield, MA, for the first time since 2020, the crowd
quickly made their feelings known.
John Henry - the owner of the Boston Red Sox and English Premier League club
Liverpool FC - was booed when he spoke to fans at the event, with many being
critical of the Fenway Sports Group’s lack of investment in regard to player
acquisition. This is not something new the ownership group has faced, though, as
many of the soccer club’s faithful have criticized their lack of spending, too.
As mentioned, it was the first time that there had been a public appearance by
the owner since 2020, when the team traded Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles
Dodgers. Clearly, his attempt to build bridges between the ownership and fans
had backfired as they were met with a chorus of boos. This was only intensified
when Henry suggested ‘baseball players are expensive’ to try and justify the
reason for ticket prices to have been made as high as they have for games at
Fenway Park.
Indeed, the fact that there are only a few weeks between now and the start of
Spring Training Camp and there is discord between fans and the club can not be a
good sign. However, once the baseball season officially starts, it would not be
a shock to see the team get behind the players that they do have and cheer them
on with each game played in Massachusetts and each time they go on the road.
Of course, a lot of the responsibility will fall on the hands of Alex Cora, as
he will be the man that is ultimately judged. He will be tasked with putting
together a team and one that fans can get behind with every ball game that is
played.
As highlighted, the Boston crowd is one that is likely to get behind their team,
and
given Massachusetts sports betting is almost here,
it would not be a surprise if we were to see this truly come to fruition. Fans
will likely look to place wagers that involve their team throughout the season,
and they will be hoping the faith they show in their team will be reciprocated
on the field.
Naturally, with fans potentially considering wagering on their iconic franchise,
there will be many that will want to see the franchise be more active throughout
the remainder of the offseason. The club has already lost team leader Xander
Bogaerts through free agency and has failed to replace him thus far.
Cora, though, added names to his roster. Masataka Yoshida has arrived as one of
the most exciting prospects on a five-year deal that is set to cost the team
around $90 million, while the experienced Justin Turner was also added via free
agency on a one-year deal.
However, with little movement elsewhere, it is perhaps hardly a surprise that
fans are angry. This anger has perhaps only intensified further by the idea that
Enrique “Kiké” Hernández is set to be moved to be the primary shortstop, rather
than a new body coming in. He is, though, expected to be Adam Duvall in the
center as he has reportedly signed a one-year, $7 million contract.
Extensions can be part and parcel of MLB and what teams look to do in the
offseason, and it seems the Red Sox are going down that route like any other
franchise in the league.
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Rafael Devers is one individual where this is the case, as the team has managed
to get him to extend his stay at Fenway Park. The slugger has committed to a
10-year, $313.5 million extension. This will not start until next year, though.
It appears the club wants to rebuild the team around the 26-year-old given the
length of time offered to him.
One player that does not appear to be against the idea of remaining in Boston,
Mass. is Triston Casas, either. The player himself has already made it clear
that he would be willing to discuss a long-term contract with the team. However,
despite the fact that he has been open about it, there does not appear to be any
movement regarding this as of yet.
Clearly, this offseason is one of huge importance for the Boston Red Sox and
Alex Cora, however it has gone far from swimmingly for the iconic baseball
franchise. The appearance at Winter Weekend perhaps helped highlight just how
unhappy fans have been with the management of the team and that is something
that could have consequences on the team ahead of Spring Training Camp.
Hopefully, things get sorted out before the start of the 2023 MLB season,
otherwise the Red Sox could be about to experience another poor campaign;
something the passionate fans in Massachusetts will stand for.