Alex Cora, manager of the Boston Red Sox, has stated that his team is “turning the corner” this summer. After Garrett Crochet was acquired from the Chicago White Sox and Aroldis Chapman was signed to a one-year contract, the process began. The Red Sox are still lacking a few components, though, in order to compete for the AL East championship. Since the team’s primary need is starting pitching, they must fully commit to Corbin Burnes.
Even after trading for crochet, the Red Sox rotation still needs an upgrade. Signing Burnes would give them two bona fide aces serving as 1A-1B among the starters. Burnes comes with a hefty price tag, but it’s a pill the Red Sox need to swallow. He is by far the best starting pitcher currently on the market.
There’s a bit of logjam in the outfield, but Teoscar Hernandez is the power-hitting, right-handed bat the Red Sox desperately need. He has produced four straight seasons with 25-plus home runs and 75-plus RBI (90-plus in three of them). Even if the Red Sox opt not to play him in the outfield, he is a perfect DH candidate to replace Masataka Yoshida.
Pitching needs for the Red Sox extend to the bullpen even after signing Chapman. Tanner Scott is one of the best (if not the best) relievers available in free agency. He posted a 1.75 ERA last season with the Padres and recorded 22 saves. Scott is expected to sign a contract worth more than $50 million, but left-handed relievers of his caliber are certainly worth the price tag.
