Dec 9, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow speaks with the media at the Hilton Anatole during the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Every Boston Red Sox fan lives in fear of offseason inaction.
It’s what the Red Sox dealt with for five years, essentially from the first moment after Mookie Betts got traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers (with whom he’s now won three World Series rings). Last offseason was a refreshing break, but the fear that the Red Sox could go back to not spending, especially as it pertains to losing Alex Bregman, is omnipresent.
But even if Bregman returns , the Red Sox still need more thump. They were 23rd in home runs after the Rafael Devers trade, a stat that can’t be hammered home often enough. Counting on Trevor Story to lead the team in home runs is not a winning formula.
Therefore, any sign that the Red Sox could sign two power hitters is a good sign, and on Wednesday, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow delivered at least a lukewarm endorsement to the idea.
Speaking at the Major League Baseball general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas, Breslow was asked directly about the possibility of adding two big bats to the lineup.
“We could,” Breslow said, per Christopher Smith of MassLive. “I think we’re going to be open to every conceivable path to improving the team. Specifically what that looks like or who the names are that fill those roles, I think we’ll see how the offseason plays out.”
The Red Sox don’t have an excuse not to spend, because they originally greenlit two more years of Bregman at $40 million per year while Devers was still on the roster. One can say extending Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony may have eaten into some of those savings a tiny bit, but at a minimum, the Red Sox should be able to add about $50 million to the payroll, which could enough to sign two impact bats.
Obviously, Breslow isn’t saying anything will happen. But we’ve seen a bit of a tone change from him since the season ended. He’s still leaving his options open, as usual, but there seems to be more of a declarative notion that the Red Sox are going after big fish only.
Sadly, time is the only way to learn what that means when it comes to ink on paper.
“The Lions’ defensive boost is on the horizon as Marcus Davenport and D.J. Reed return to practice, starting their 21-day window for a potential December return.”
The Detroit Lions’ defense received some much-needed reinforcement as they activated the 21-day practice window for defensive end Marcus Davenport and cornerback D.J. Reed. Both players were seen on the practice field at the Allen Park Performance Center during the portion of practice open to the media, signaling a step toward their return to action after missing time due to injuries.
Reed has been recovering from a hamstring injury, while Davenport has been sidelined with a strained pectoral muscle. Though neither player is expected to return in time for the upcoming game against the Eagles, their return is anticipated by early December, aligning with what head coach Dan Campbell has shared about their recovery timeline.
Lions Defensive Depth Under Scrutiny
Campbell addressed the Lions’ current pass-rush win rate, which has been ranked lower than expected. While acknowledging the stats, he stressed that numbers don’t always tell the full story, and the team remains confident in their ability to generate pressure.
“Stats are stats. I can’t deny that,” Campbell remarked. “But I think we’re able to generate pressure. Are there things from the other day we wished we would’ve gotten a little more pressure? Yeah. Some of this, it comes back to, man, Hutch (Aidan Hutchinson) is not going to get a one-on-one. But when he does, he’s got to win.”
Campbell noted that defensive efforts should be a collective team effort, with players like Hutchinson drawing more attention, which could create opportunities for others. He emphasized the importance of pushing the pocket and disrupting the quarterback, which would lead to more consistent pressures and potential sacks.
Defensive Progress Despite Inconsistent Sacks
Despite concerns about the team’s sack totals, Campbell believes the defense has made solid strides in quarterback pressures and hits. The coaching staff, particularly defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers, has been praised for their rush plans and for creating pressure opportunities, especially on third downs.
“We’ve got plenty of ammo. We’ve got the players to do it, we’ve got the scheme to do it,” Campbell said. “Our rush plan has been really good. It did show up the other day, some of these things on third down that we were doing.”
With Davenport and Reed returning to the fold, the Lions’ defense will look to build on the pressure they’ve already generated and make the necessary improvements in their pass rush.