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Winter Meetings a reminder that Red Sox don’t prioritize championships anymore
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- Winter Meetings a reminder that Red Sox don’t prioritize championships anymore
Of course, the Red Sox weren’t going to sign Pete Alonso. Obviously, they weren’t going to bring back Kyle Schwarber. The Red Sox don’t operate that way anymore and haven’t for a while.
Anyone surprised or disappointed when the Red Sox didn’t come home from the Winter Meetings with a stud free agent simply hasn’t been paying attention.
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They’ve been trotting out similar versions of the same script for years now.
The time is long overdue to reset some expectations. When reports come out that the Red Sox “are interested” or “in on” a primary free agent, that used to mean that there was a pretty good chance that when the auctioneer yelled “Sold!” Boston would have made the highest bid.
In the 2020s, the Red Sox are making offers. But it’s always for fewer years and less money than serious bidders.Gucci free agents don’t sign at Acme prices.
They headed into the offseason needing a front-of-the-rotation starter and instead got Sonny Gray, who has never inspired confidence in big moments. They needed to address their lack of power after Devers left, but weren’t serious players for either Alonso or Schwarber.
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The Red Sox love to overpromise and underdeliver. and then act like they won the silver medal for just being involved.
They appear aggressive, hoping nobody will notice they haven’t reinvested the money they saved when they dumped Rafael Devers, while promoting Holiday Flex Pax.
The Red Sox have the money to add the players that would turn their young nucleus into a serious contender. They chose not to spend it.
For about 15 years, John Henry and his partners were great owners. They were aggressive and competitive. They brought four World Series titles to a city that was desperate for them. They were smart in their approach and they spent money.
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But championships aren’t a priority anymore. They’ll trot out Sam Kennedy at some point to assure fans with a straight face that ownership is committed to winning while John Henry keeps his wallet and mouth shut.
Agents are plenty happy to play along. It makes serious bidders nervous. They fear that at some point, Red Sox ownership will care about winning again. That drives up the prices.
But that wasn’t going to happen this year. Not with a lockout coming.
Henry is happy to reprise this song and dance one more time because he knows there’s a work stoppage coming next year. When the collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1, 2026, barring a miracle, the owners are expected to lock out the players.
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Then they’ll dig their heels in for a salary cap, or some other way to limit salaries and years on future contracts. John Henry should be against a cap. As a big market, the Red Sox have a huge advantage in the current structure. Having more money makes it possible to sign better players.
But that’s only true if they’re willing to spend it.
Outtakes from a busy week ...
Bruins still searching for a good bear
The Bruins will wear these jerseys for their outdoor Stadium Series game on Feb. 1 in Tampa, Florida.Boston Bruins
Historically, the Bruins have among the best run of uniforms across all of sports, so standards are high anytime they unveil something new, as they did last night with their Stadium Series sweaters.
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My mini-review starts with two caveats: 1. I’m nobody’s version of a fashion expert. 2. As a middle-aged guy, I’m not their target buyer anyway.
The black on the yellow looks better than it did on the Pooh Bear jerseys of old. The lettering of Boston, which is a nod to the Patriots, is clever.
But the Bruins just can’t seem to create a good bear. It’s not for a lack of trying.
They’ve used Pooh Bear (bottom left) twice. It looks like an animatronic from a bad amusement park.
They brought back Meth Bear (top left) which looks like a Scooby Doo villain.
The one in the logo on the top right is their best effort, but a little too detailed for a jersey crest.
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The logo in the bottom corner looks more like a sloth than it does a bear.
Why can't the Bruins find a good bear?(Bottom Left is NHL Media Distribtution, other three at The Associated Press)The Associated Press
The current bear at least looks like a bear. But looks too much like the silhouette of a polar bear . It certainly doesn’t look fearsome.
Real Jeopardy! Clue
Sports clues from actual editions of America’s favorite quiz show. As always, mind the date
CATEGORY: Oh You Shall Football- $600
Date: Dec. 8, 2025
An ESPN column said ‘Never mind rivalries or prime time, the first thing NFL players look for on a schedule is this “week” with no game.’
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— Answer below
The Top 5
The Top 5 Movie Portrayals of Santa Claus
5— Kurt Russell, ”The Christmas Chronicles." This is a flawed movie, but he’s terrific.
4— Paul Giamati, “Fred Claus”
3— Richard Attenborough, Miracle on 34th Street - new version. I hate that version of the movie, but he’s good in it.
2— Ed Asner, Elf
1— Edmund Gwenn, Miracle on 34th Street
Today in Boston Sports History
Dec. 12
2024 — North Carolina hires Bill Belichick.
2016 — Tom Brady hits Chris Hogan for a 79-yard fourth-quarter touchdown pass to lift the Patriots past the Ravens. Brady became the fourth NFL QB to throw 450 career touchdown passes in the game.
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Lightning round
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Maybe the Olympic organizers are less worried about the arena issues because “undersized hockey rink” sounds better in Italian - “Piccolo palaghiaccio.”
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The Patriots quarterback and his dessert maestro wife should trademark “Drake and Bake.”
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Tampa’s Stadium Series uniforms look like their Nor’Easter uniforms.
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The promos for other IBC Christmas shows at the beginning of the underrated “Scrooged” are five of the funniest minutes of holiday television.
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I’d love to know what Jim Morris of “The Rookie” thinks while watching Philip Rivers.
Real Jeopardy! Question:
What is the bye week?
Finally...
Happy National Ding-a-Ling Day.
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