Hot Stove League Update: Red Sox

The Red Sox are another team in a weird situation of their own making.  Just a quick recap....  They hired Dave Dombrowski specifically to do whatever he thought necessary to win big and win now.  He delivered exactly what he promised with a World Series Championship in 2018.  Then they fired him less than a full year after that accomplishment apparently because they don't like being stuck over the CBT threshold with a weakened farm system.  b-b-b-but flags fly forever!?  To top it all off, their World Series winning manager was caught up in the Astros sign-stealing scandal as well as one in the Red Sox organization and was unexpectedly fired before MLB made it's own ruling.  Key Moves:

Free Agents Lost:  Rick Porcello(RHP), Brock Holt(UT), Eduardo Nunez(IF), Hector Velasquez(RHP), Jhoulys Chacin(RHP), Tyler Thornburg(RHP), Chris Owings(IF), Gorkys Hernandez(OF), Steven Wright(RHP), Trevor Kelley(RHP).

Free Agents Signed:  Martin Perez(LHP), Kevin Pillar(CF), Mitch Moreland(1B), Jose Peraza(IF), Kevin Plawecki(C), Josh Osich(LHP), Marco Hernandez(IF), Colin McHugh(RHP).

Trades:  Acquired Alex Verdugo(OF), Jeter Downs(IF), Connor Wong(C) from the Dodgers for Mookie Betts(OF), David Price(LHP), $48 M cash.  Acquired Adenys Bautista(RHP) from the Indians for Sandy Leon(C).  Acquired Austin Brice(RHP) form the Marlins for Angeudis Santos(IF).  Acquired Jeffrey Springs(LHP) from the Rangers for Sam Travis(1B).  Acquired Matt Hall(LHP) from the Tigers for Jhon Nunez(C).  Acquired Cash or PTBNL from the Cubs for Travis Lakins(RHP).

Retired:  Steven Pearce(UT).

Waiver Claims:  Chris Mazza(RHP) from the Mets.  Phillips Valdez(RHP) from the Mariners.

Minor League Free Agents:  Jonathan Lucroy(C), Juan Centeno(C), Trevor Hildenberger(RHP), Cesar Puello(OF), Jett Bandy(C), Ryder Jones(IF), John Andreoli(OF), Mike Kickham(LHP), R.J. Alvarez(RHP), Austin Maddox(RHP).

Summary: It wasn't long after Chaim Bloom arrived on the scene that he started doing Rays-like things.  He got a decent haul for Betts and unloaded a bad contract in the process.  He plugged some holes with cheap free agents, then loaded up on arms nobody has heard of.  Almost guaranteed to be a future Closer in that bunch somewhere, but exactly where is anyone's guess.  I'll give it all a B with a deduction for the craziness in the manager's chair, but also note that post-Hot Stove events including Chris Sale going under the knife and the loss of a draft pick.  BoSox still have a potent lineup but realistically are not going to compete before 2022.

Grade B-.