In the midst of a number of splashy moves made around the MLB, the Boston Red Sox have remained very quiet this offseason.
Following its 2013 World Series crown, Boston could have been in a dire situation heading into spring training 2014. The team had its share of free agents, including Jacoby Ellsbury, Mike Napoli, Stephen Drew and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
Two have already departed, and another may do so soon.
The remaining free agent, Napoli, was one of the primary targets of the Red Sox this offseason.
In the wake of these free-agent departures—and since we’re already this far into the offseason—Boston appears set to rely on its current roster with only a few minor additions from outside the organization.
Will that work? Only time can tell.
While general manager Ben Cherington is likely happy with the team’s chances of defending its championship, the fact remains that the Red Sox will again be faced with a tough challenge as the rest of the division—and the American League for that matter—have made significant adjustments to overtake Boston’s reign.
In this article, let us take a look at the biggest winners and losers from the Red Sox’s offseason thus far. Some guys got paid. Others did not. Boston is stronger in some areas while weaker in others.