The Boston Red Sox are one of the wealthiest teams in Major League Baseball, with a history of big spending in the free-agent market.
Over the years, they’ve made some massive signings, adding big names to their roster. However, not every high-priced acquisition has worked out as expected.
Several players the Red Sox have signed for big contracts have underperformed, leaving fans and critics to wonder if the team is spending its money in the right way.
In recent seasons, the Red Sox have made multiple moves that haven’t paid off. One of the most notable missteps was the signing of pitcher Chris Sale in 2017 to a five-year, $145 million contract extension.
While Sale was dominant in his early seasons with the team, injuries have derailed his performance over the last few years.
His ability to stay on the field has been a major concern, as he’s missed significant time due to elbow and shoulder injuries.
This investment has turned into a financial burden for the team, and Sale’s inability to contribute at a high level has raised questions about whether the Red Sox should have spent that money elsewhere.
Another questionable move was the acquisition of outfielder Carl Crawford in 2011. The Red Sox inked him to a seven-year, $142 million contract, expecting him to provide a major offensive boost. Crawford, however, struggled to adjust to the pressures of playing in Boston, posting disappointing numbers during his time with the team.
Worst deal in the history
After just two seasons, he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a salary dump. The deal is widely regarded as one of the worst in Red Sox history, and it didn’t help that Crawford never lived up to the lofty expectations set by his big contract.
More recently, the Red Sox made a significant splash by signing slugger J.D. Martinez in 2018. Martinez was coming off a stellar season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Red Sox believed he would provide the offense they needed to complement their lineup.
While Martinez has had some impressive seasons, his performance has been inconsistent, especially in the last couple of years.
His struggles at the plate, coupled with his age, have made it unclear whether he’s worth the $110 million the team committed to him. With Martinez’s production declining, the Red Sox are left wondering if they could have spent that money more wisely.
In addition to these high-profile free-agent deals, the Red Sox have also invested heavily in players through trades. The acquisition of infielder Pablo Sandoval in 2014 is another example of a move that didn’t pan out as hoped.
Sandoval, who was signed to a five-year, $95 million contract, was expected to provide power and stability to the lineup.
However, his weight issues and poor performance on the field led to his release after just three seasons. Sandoval’s contract, much like Crawford’s, is viewed as a waste of resources that could have been better allocated elsewhere.
The common thread in many of these deals is the reliance on high-priced free agents or aging players who were coming off strong individual seasons. The Red Sox have often spent big money in hopes of immediate results, but these contracts have not always lived up to expectations.
In an era where teams are becoming more strategic with their spending and focusing on younger, more cost-effective talent, the Red Sox’s approach has raised eyebrows.
Bleeding Money
One of the issues with spending large sums on free agents is that it often locks a team into long-term commitments. This limits flexibility in the future and can leave a team vulnerable if a player’s performance declines or they are unable to stay healthy.
For example, when Sale and Crawford were signed, both seemed like the right moves at the time. However, injuries and inconsistent play have made those deals tough to swallow.
The Red Sox’s spending habits have also been criticized for lacking a clear long-term vision. While it’s understandable to want to win now, investing heavily in aging players or high-risk contracts can be detrimental to building a sustainable and successful team.
The focus on short-term success has prevented the team from fully embracing a more balanced approach that combines smart investments in younger talent with the occasional big signing.
As the Red Sox continue to build their roster, it’s important for them to rethink their approach to spending.
In a league where analytics and player development are becoming increasingly important, the Red Sox need to find a way to blend big-money signings with a sustainable strategy that ensures long-term success.
With the team’s rich history and large fanbase, there’s no reason why the Red Sox can’t find the right balance between spending and building for the future.
