Continuing the preference for fiscal caution that they have demonstrated since shedding the albatross contracts they shipped to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012, the Boston Red Sox let Jacoby Ellsbury sign a costly long-term deal with the New York Yankees and Jarrod Saltalamacchia ink a three-year contract with the Miami Marlins.
Though they are in prime position with their payroll for the long term with no cumbersome deals on the books, the Red Sox have some maneuvering to conduct if they want to add an outfielder and a shortstop, and remain under the $189 million luxury tax threshold for 2014.
Boston’s off-season shopping has included a two-year, $32 million deal to bring back first baseman Mike Napoli. They also inked catcher A.J. Pierzynski to a one-year, $8.25 million agreement and right-handed reliever Edward Mujica to a two-year contract worth $9.5 million; and acquired reliever Burke Badenhop.
Considering that Boston has Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, John Lackey and Felix Doubront anchoring the rotation, and young arms like Brandon Workman, Anthony Ranaudo and Allen Webster who can contribute in 2014, it can afford to part with Dempster or Peavy.
Since Drew declined a qualifying offer and will cost a draft pick to sign, there is a strong chance he returns to the Red Sox on a one-year or two-year deal. If Boston’s front office deems Jackie Bradley Jr. ready to replace Ellsbury in center field, it will still likely acquire or sign a right-handed hitting center fielder to lessen Bradley’s load.
The Red Sox could also free salary by trading left-hander Franklin Morales, who is in his last year of arbitration eligibility and is expendable since the club has left-handed relievers Craig Breslow, Andrew Miller and Drake Britton.
