Rafael Devers has questioned whether the Boston Red Sox have strengthened enough during the off-season to make them a contender this year.
The Red Sox finished last in the AL East in 2023 with a 78-84 record but have been quiet in the market over the winter, signing starting pitcher Lucas Giolito, outfielder Tyler O’Neill and infielder Vaughn Grissom.
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Out have gone Alex Verdugo and Chris Sale, leaving the roster looking shorn once again of enough quality or strength in depth to challenge for the post-season.
Devers, the Red Sox’s star third baseman who hit 33 home runs and 100 RBI last season, called on the franchise’s front office to try to make some late moves before their opening game at Seattle on March 28.
He said: “They need to make an adjustment to help us players to be in a better position to win.
“Everybody in this organisation wants to win. We, as [players], want to win. I think they need to make an adjustment to help us win.
“I’m not saying that the team is not okay right now, but they need to be conscious of what are the [weaknesses] and what we need.”
Pitching appears to be the Red Sox’s main area of concern – their 4.52 ERA ranked 21st in the majors in 2023.
“Everybody knows what we need,” added Devers in comments reported by ESPN. “You know what we need and they know what we need.
“It’s just there’s some things that I can’t say out loud. But everybody that knows the organisation and knows the game knows what we need.”
