MLB insider explains why Red Sox will need to ‘pay extra’ for free agents

By Conor Ryan The Red Sox have signaled all offseason that theyre willing to spend heavily.

Beyond team president Sam Kennedy confirming Bostons interest in Juan Soto and the teams readiness to exceed MLBs competitive balance tax (CBT) to bring in top talent, multiple reports have tied the Red Sox to some of the top names in both free agency and on the trade market.

But if Boston wants to win the high-stakes sweepstakes for stars like Soto, Corbin Burnes, and Max Fried, the Red Sox might have to significantly outbid some other deep-pocketed teams like the Yankees.

Why? According to longtime ESPN baseball writer Buster Olney, the Red Sox status as a top destination for players has waned in recent years especially after the team dealt Mookie Betts to the Dodgers in February 2020.

One market factor that shifts cyclically is how some teams become a preferred destination for players, while other teams lose ground in the perception game, Olney posted on X.

Boston is aggressive with dollars now, but the Red Sox will have to pay extra to overcome a negative player perception that really started growing when the team wouldnt pay Mookie Betts.

One market factor that shifts cyclically is how some teams become a preferred destination for players, while other teams lose ground in the perception game.

Boston is aggressive with dollars now, but the Red Sox will have to pay extra to overcome a negative player perception that...

The Red Sox decision to move on from Betts has been nothing short of a disaster for Boston.

Connor Wong the only remaining player still on Bostons roster from that deal with the Dodgers.

Meanwhile, Betts has gone on to win two World Series titles, four Silver Sluggers, and two Gold Gloves over the last five seasons in Los Angeles.

Beyond Betts exit, the Red Sox have let other homegrown stars like Xander Bogaerts walk in free agency with Boston prioritizing internal development over active offseasons.

The result has granted Boston one of the top farm systems in baseball, but little to show for it at the big-league level so far.

Boston has only punched its ticket to the postseason once over the last six seasons.

Add in the Red Sox quiet offseason in 2023 after promises of a full throttle approach , and Boston might have some work to do when it comes to re-establishing itself as a major player in free agency.

The Red Sox have already lost out on two potential pitching targets in Blake Snell and Yusei Kikuchi who signed with the Dodgers and Angels, respectively, this week.

Conor Ryan Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.

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