Three areas of focus for the Red Sox this offseason

While the Red Sox will focus most on pitching this Hot Stove season, there is a position on the diamond that clearly needs to be addressed.
This would be the second host to become a limited production revolving door last season.
Baseball manager Craig Breslow mentioned a quartet of players (Luis Urías, David Hamilton, Enmanuel Valdez and Pablo Reyes) who could fill that commission role, but none stand out as everyday solutions.
It seems much more likely that the Sox will leave the organization and get Trevor Story’s permanent doubles partner.
“I think in a perfect world you have everyday players at all your positions,” Breslow said on the second day of the GM Meeting. “I think it gives certainty and stability to the squad, the coaches and different parts of the organization.”

A look at the free agent market highlights two potential veteran solutions that could satisfy Boston’s ideal fit, where a right-handed hitter at second base makes up for the lineup’s many lefties.
Whit Merrifield has speed and some pop and is also familiar with the American League East, having played the last two years in Toronto. Elvis Andrus has primarily played shortstop in his career, but last year he started 60 seconds for the White Sox. It also doesn’t hurt to have a player with a shortstop background on the other side of the bag.
Breslow is also exploring the commercial market for a full-time solution, where there could be more opportunities. Full outfield

The Red Sox have a lot of quality outfielders, and almost all of them hit left-handed. That’s a surplus the club could cut to better fill out the roster.
Masataka Yoshida, Jarren Duran, Alex Verdugo and rising prospect Wilyer Abreu all use left-handed bats. Rob Refsnyder remains on the right wing. Adam Duvall is a free agent, but the Red Sox could explore a reunion with the power-hitting righty. One player to watch this winter is Verdugo, who is entering a “walk year,” meaning he will be eligible for free agency after the 2024 season. Would it make sense to get rid of the more affordable Abreu’s left-handed bat so the Red Sox be able to free up Verdugo’s salary for other needs?
“His fit is an everyday righty who plays Gold Glove caliber defense and can make an impact on the offensive side of the ball,” Breslow said. “We spoke to him. He seems committed to doing his best. “It is clear that this is a man who has been contacted by other teams because of the situation. I don’t think we can commit to anything. We have to look at every possibility, every communication with another club or agent that could improve our . team. We’ll see where it lands.”

For the third straight offseason, the Red Sox are trying to figure out whether Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck are best suited as starters or relievers.
In 2023, Houck was used exclusively as a starter, going 6-10 with a 5.01 ERA in 21 starts. His season suffered a significant setback when he suffered a broken face on June 16 when he was hit by a ball. It knocked him out for two months.
Whitlock first had to recover from right hip surgery earlier in the season and then dealt with elbow issues that landed him on the disabled list twice. In total, Whitlock played 12 times and started 10 times. The righty had a 5.23 ERA and 4.95 out of the bullpen as a start. His season was hit by personal tragedy when his brother died in a water accident over Labor Day weekend.
“I think we have to make a decision as soon as possible. I think it speaks to how you prepare and practice in the offseason,” Breslow said. There is a lot of value in a starting pitcher. I think we will build. guys start pitchers and give them every chance to earn a rotation spot. “I have yet to face a team with too much starting depth, and I think the transition from the rotation to the bullpen will be easier because the repertoire is somewhat limited and the workload is reduced. So that’s the direction, if we had to. But we rate these guys as starters.”