The Boston Red Sox have been a bit inconsistent in recent years.
After a stint, between 2003 and 2009, in which they made the playoffs six out of seven seasons (with two World Series titles included) they missed them for three straight years, won another Fall Classic in 2013, then failed to even qualify to October for two more years.
Then, between 2016 and 2018, they made the playoffs three straight seasons culminating in the 2018 World Series.
In the last four campaigns, however, they have advanced to the postseason just once, in 2021.
Flags fly forever, they sure do; but there is no denying that there have been some recent inconsistency.
A big reason behind this situation is that the Red Sox don’t seem to capitalize on their contention windows by extending all their star-level pending free agents.
Additionally, they used to sabotage themselves with bad contract decisions and underwhelming trades.
The Red Sox Need To Pay Bogaerts
MLB analyst and famous Red Sox fan Jared Carrabis explained the situation in a recent tweet.
“The reason why Red Sox fans are so pissed even after four titles is simple. You can’t make Papi go year to year then pay Pablo and Hanley. You can’t not pay Lester then pay Price. You can’t trade Mookie for an unsatisfactory return. You can’t pay Story and not pay Xander,” he tweeted.
The reason why Red Sox fans are so pissed even after four titles is simple. You can't make Papi go year to year then pay Pablo and Hanley. You can't not pay Lester then pay Price. You can't trade Mookie for an unsatisfactory return. You can't pay Story and not pay Xander.
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) December 4, 2022
David Ortiz, ‘Big Papi’, was never given a massive long-term deal late in his career, but the franchise opted to pay Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez.
They didn’t quite pan out as hoped.
The same can be said about Jon Lester and David Price.
The jury is still out on Story, as he has only been in Boston for a year, but what Carrabis is trying to say is that the team should pay free agent Xander Bogaerts and not consider Story a replacement.
They need both to compete, not just one.
Fans are, understandably, mad at the moves made in recent years despite their 2018 championship.
they are done this year already and in last place. not worth watching and im cancelling my mlbatbat this year.