Hot Stove Lunch: Red Sox near bottom in offseason free-agent spending

Last year, the Red Sox spent more on payroll than any other team in baseball.

The year before, they led all teams in spending, too, and spent more than they ever had in a single season.

In fact, from the 2010 season through 2019, no team spent more on payroll than the Red Sox.

But this winter, in cost-cutting mode, it's an entirely different story.



ESPN's Jeff Passan totaled up the amount of money spent on free agents by all 30 MLB teams to date this winter and found the Red Sox lagging near the bottom of the list.

Passan had the Sox spending $9 million in free agents; only eight teams -- Cubs, Pirates, Rockies, Mariners, Orioles, Royals, Indians and A's -- spent less.

(By my figures, the Red Sox have actually spent a tad more. I've got them giving Martin Perez $6 million, another $3 million to Jose Peraza and $900,000 to backup catcher Kevin Plawecki. Add in a $500,000 buyout for Perez and that numbers grows to $10.4 million. But that's a quibble in accounting and would vault them over only other team in spending -- the Dodgers at $10 million).

You'll be shocked -- shocked, I tell you -- to learn that the Yankees have outspent everyone, in large part because of their record-setting deal to land Gerrit Cole. The Yankees have $336.5 million. Next up are the Nationals (clearly not sitting still after winning the World Series), the Angels, White Sox and Phillies.

Clearly, these things run in cycles. There have been plenty of seasons in which the Red Sox have spent wildly, but not altogether smartly (Good morning to you, Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval). We know that "winning the winter'' doesn't always equate to winning once the season starts.

Still, for Red Sox fans accustomed to seeing the team invest in improving the roster following a disappointing season, this is essentially uncharted territory.

And there's this: the Red Sox still haven't reached their goal of getting under the first CBT threshold, so there will likely be more subtraction before there's any addition to the payroll.

Elsewhere:

AL EAST

Do the Yankees still have one more big move up their sleeve?

Ranking the center field candidates for the Blue Jays.

The Orioles are bringing a familiar face in to play shortstop.

AL CENTRAL

The Indians need a rebound season from Jose Ramirez.

Is Brock Holt the answer for the White Sox at second base?

It would seem the Twins are out on Josh Donaldson.

The Tigers avoided arbitration with one of their starting pitchers.

AL WEST

The Astros have some openings in their starting rotation.

Texas is considering one of the big remaining free agents to play third base.

The Angels made a deal for some bullpen help.

Could the Mariners find a trade partner for Mitch Haniger?

NATIONAL LEAGUE

The Nationals continue to improve their roster with yet another free agent signing.