Craig Breslow speaks on priorities: 'We want to focus on the areas to improve that will provide us the biggest return'
Breslow met with reporters for one final time at the GM Meetings. He spoke for about 20 minutes on various topics. The new Chief baseball officer covered the non-tender deadline, free agent Justin turner, current priorities, and manager Alex Cora.
There are two deadlines coming up for all of the MLB. The first is on the 15th where teams have to add the prospects to the 40 man roster that they want to protect from the December Rule 5 draft. The second is the non-tender deadline on Nov. 17th, where teams have to decide to tender or non-tender (release) their arbitration eligible players.
“It’s kind of a work in progress, getting familiar our players, their performance, projections, also the feedback that I can lean on from others. The beauty of those decision is there is a hard deadline. Breslow said when he was asked on the where they are at as the deadlines near. “The conversations are ongoing and we’re making progress.” Breslow continued.
The two names to watch for Boston as the non-tender deadline approaches is infielder Luis Urías and catcher Reese McGuire as non-tender candidates. Urías is speculatively viewed as the most likely to be released. MLBTR has him projected to make $4.7 million, which could be too steep.
Turner’s fit is too early to tell
Justin Turner is the Red Sox biggest free agent that hit the market. The soon to be 39 year old became a fixture in the middle of the lineup last season driving in 96 RBIs with 23 homeruns. Turner also embraced not just the Red Sox, but the whole Boston community in very short order.
When asked about Turner, Breslow recognized what he meant to the clubhouse and the team overall. However, as expected this early in the offseason, he wouldn’t commit to Turner re-signing.
“We have to figure out if he fits, how he fits, but from my perspective I have nothing but praise for Justin as a person.”
Turner has already become a popular name with teams. Bob Nigthengale reported that the Arizona Diamondbacks are atop of their wish list. Turner showed last year that not only he can still be a productive, but that he can become a clubhouse leader for any team despite not being on that team in past seasons.
Breslow focuses in on improving rotation
It is a known that the Red Sox are desperate for starting pitching. The rotation hasn’t seen even just one impactful arm in free agency since David Price.
As Tom Werner mentioned after Breslow’s introductory press conference, Boston needs more arms that can consistently go six plus effective innings. While Breslow didn’t specify on timeline and who, the rotation is recognized as a must.
“We’re looking at all opportunities to improve our team…we want to focus on the areas to improve that will provide us the biggest return and that probably starts with starting pitching.” Breslow told reporters.
Breslow did add that they could look to add relief pitching, but does not view that as priority right now.
The Alex Cora Dynamic
Manager Alex Cora is under contract for one more season. There has been a lot of talk that Chaim Bloom and Cora didn’t see eye to eye. That has sparked questions on how Cora and Breslow would mesh and if Cora will be extended.
“I talked to Alex basically everyday, sometimes multiple times a day. Often just quick, bouncing ideas off each other, I want to get his thoughts on something and he wants to get my thoughts on something.” Breslow revealed on the communication aspect with Cora.
“I think first couple weeks have been really productive. I think what we need to do is establish, a trust and an expectation in each other that we are both vying for the same outcomes. We’re going to challenge and question each other, and we should and that’s going to make us better,” Breslow continued.
When asked specifically about extending Cora this offseason, Breslow remained quiet on the situation. Right now, the focus is more on preparation for the upcoming season.
“I think those conversations will take between Alex and me when the time is right. He’s preparing for the 2024 season, I’m preparing for the 2024 season. Beyond that, I don’t think it makes much sense to speak to it.”
Second base search will continue on
Breslow identified during his introduction press conference and throughout the GM meetings this week that second base is a spot where he will look to upgrade. He mentioned on Wednesday that he would prefer to get a right-handed, versatile bat for that position, but was not dead set on that idea.
Breslow was asked if there was a greater clarity on how an acquisition could come back following the GM meetings.
“Not greater clarity. I think one thing that is coming into focus is there are potentially opportunities to upgrade through either channel, so we’ll try to keep both open.”
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