Juan Soto has dominated offseason discussions, much like Shohei Ohtani did last year as a free agent.
Similar to last offseason, the free agent market has been slow, likely with players waiting for Soto to sign with a team, just as they did with Ohtani.
The key difference between the 2023 and 2024 Hot Stove seasons is that the Red Sox are a part of the mix regarding the most coveted player.
“I think he’d mesh really well in our clubhouse,” Hendriks said Wednesday during the club’s Holiday Caravan, assisting cancer patients, veterans, students, and athletes across Boston during the holidays. “But I always say you need to, he needs to, go wherever you’re gonna be the happiest, and that’s the big thing. I think every organization should be on him. He’s a 26-year old-guy with elite everything, and now he’s got an ability on the free agent market to cash in. He’s a generation-type player. You’re not going to find too many of those guys coming along. So if you’ve got the means and the capabilities, go for it.”
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The Sox have intimated they are going for it. And the industry-wide belief is that the club will make some big moves this offseason. Soto, however, is at the top of the shelf and the Red Sox know that. Soto’s floor is expected to be in the $600-million range and the Sox’ deal reportedly exceeds that.
The Soto sweepstakes will likely flow into Winter Meetings next week, and his agent, Scott Boras, will unquestionably attempt to get his guy the most cash possible. Mets owner Steve Cohen isn’t afraid to open up his wallet which is why the Mets are seen as one of the favorites for the outfielder. The Red Sox, if they really want Soto, will have to do the same.
In other news, the Sox signed Aroldis Chapman to a one-year deal Tuesday, boosting a bullpen that was in need of a total overhaul. The Sox needed a lefty with velocity and stuff. Chapman undoubtedly fits that mold.
He’s also known to fit inside of a clubhouse.
“What I’ve heard of Chapman is he’s fantastic in how he deals with the younger guys, especially the younger Latino guys. And so with the young Latino guys we have on this club, it’s going to be huge. Whether it be Ceddanne Rafaela, Brayan Bello, or Luis Guerrero. . . . It’s going to be fantastic,” said Hendriks. “I’ve had brief conversations with him in the past, and it’s always been a positive, positive thing.”
Hendriks missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery at the end of 2023. Hendriks threw his second bullpen of the offseason Wednesday and feels as though he’s in a good place. Zack Kelly, along with Richard Fitts, also attended the Holiday Caravan. Kelly said he hasn’t done much mound work yet, but has been honing in on his command, which plagued him in 2024.
“Now, we kind of have to find it,” said Kelly. “I want to throw the ball where I want to and mix it up a little bit better with first-pitch strikes.”
Fitts, meanwhile, is using the offseason to get stronger, he said, in an effort to increase velocity.
Part of the two-day event, which started Wednesday, was held at The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge. The players will visit different locations through Thursday. For Hendriks, a cancer survivor, attending the event was a no-brainer, he said.
Both Kelly and Fitts were also honored to be in attendance.
“I think it gives us the opportunity to come up here and give back to the community that gives us so much during the season,” said Kelly. “And just being able to kind of go around and to show our support for certain groups like this one is just really special to me.”
