We're about to witness a few weeks of frenzied activity in baseball, the likes of which we've never seen.
Thursday's agreement means there will soon be several hundred free agents scrambling for jobs, while, at the same time, trade talks, put on ice since Dec. 2, take off.
From a standing start, teams will suddenly ramp up, and it's expected the pace of transactions will be unmatched.
Here are nine questions about where the Red Sox sit and what they might be looking to do.
1) How does the new CBA impact the Red Sox and spending?
Generally speaking, it has to be seen as a positive. By most accounting, the Red Sox are at $200 million in payroll obligations for 2022. The new CBA features a CBT threshold of $230 million, meaning the Sox have roughly $30 million to spend before they have to worry about the luxury tax. (That is, if they're worried about the tax at all; with the advent of the new agreement, teams will see their past spending wiped clean and everyone starts fresh. So the Sox could go over $230 million and worry only about the overage tax, and not concern themselves with being "repeat offenders.''
It's also important to factor in not just this year's payroll figures, but also future seasons, and here's where it gets interesting. The Red Sox have a number of significant contracts coming off the books after 2022, including J.D. Martinez ($19.375 million), Nathan Eovaldi ($17 million), Jackie Bradley Jr. ($11 million) and Christian Vazquez ($7 million). That's almost $55 million, and that doesn't include another $20 million for Xander Bogaerts, who has an opt-out in his deal.
That could potentially allow Chaim Bloom to go after a big star, knowing that even if the Sox were to go over the CBT this year, there would be plenty of room to absorb the contract starting in 2023. Could that be shortstop Carlos Correa? Correa, who is close with manager Alex Cora, would vastly upgrade the team's defense at a key position and give the Sox an in-his-prime (27) superstar, while presumably moving Bogaerts to second base for the season. But one complication of the shortened spring (about two and a half weeks shorter than usual) is that Bogaerts would have little time to get acclimated to a new position.
But that's a complicated and highly expensive move, with Correa said to be looking to top the contract signed by Francisco Lindor (10 years, $341 million), and it's worth noting that the biggest free-agent deal Bloom has handed out since moving to Boston was the two-year, $14 million deal given to Kiké Hernandez.
2) If not Correa, who else might constitute a bold move for the Sox?
The Red Sox need an outfielder -- preferably a right-handed one -- to fill out an outfield that leans lefty (Alex Verdugo, Bradley) and helps replace Hunter Renfroe's bat.
That could be Japanese import Seiya Suzuki, who was in the middle of his posting period before the lockout so rudely interrupted it. Suzuki has 20 days to choose a suitor. The Red Sox were said to be among the most interested teams in pursuit back in November when he was first posted, but since then, word has surfaced that Suzuki would prefer to play on the west coast? Is that posturing or legitimate?
Other names on the free-agent market include Kris Bryant and Nick Castellanos. But for a team that has placed so much value on defense, neither would represent an upgrade. Bryant is a decided average defender and Castellanos is below that. Both would provide power, but do the Sox want to spend more than $20 million AAV for players who are already 30?
Cheaper options include the likes of Jorge Soler, but he represents diminishing returns.
3) Speaking of money, what about extensions for Bogaerts and Rafael Devers?
Here again, the shortened spring will be a factor. Typically, spring training is the perfect backdrop to discuss extensions for players already under control. It's a relaxed time of year to get such discussions done. But this spring will be anything but typical...or relaxed.
Bloom will be busy with the free-agent class, trade talks and preparing for the team's arbitration cases, the latter of which won't be heard until the regular season gets underway. Such an environment won't lend itself to the normal talks.
The Sox can afford to wait -- at least a little -- before having to act with either player. Bogaerts may want to see what Correa and Trevor Story get before determining his own worth. The opt-out can't be exercised until after the season, so it might be prudent -- for both sides -- to see the season play out before getting down to business.
As for Devers, he remains under control through 2023, so the Sox aren't staring down any kind of deadline just yet. They could approach his representatives during the season, or once the season is over. But the last time the Sox had a star player enter his walk year, they felt compelled to move him so as to not lose him for only draft picks. So the sooner the Sox get on top of the Devers situation, the better.
4) What are some other needs for the Sox?
FIrst and foremost, there's the bullpen. It seems doubtful that free agent Adam Ottavino will return to the Sox, and there's some uncertainty surrounding Matt Barnes, who was brilliant in the first half of last season...and horrendous (6.48 ERA) in the second half. The Red Sox may not be in the market for a closer, but at the very least, they would seem to be in need of at least two experienced high-leverage relievers.
For now, the Sox have Barnes, Ryan Brasier, Hirokazu Sawamura and Josh Taylor as veteran options for the late innings. Clearly, additions are necessary.
Less clear are the roles of both Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock. Whitlock was the surprise sensation of the pitching staff a year ago, and could fill a variety of roles in 2023 -- multi-inning reliever, high-leverage reliever, closer or starter. The same, more or less, can be applied to Houck.
The Sox are likely to be cognizant of the workloads for both. Whitlock pitched in 73.1 innings last year after not pitching at all in the previous season, so they'll be monitoring his usage. Houck, who battled forearm issues last April and May, also warrants some monitoring.
The potential exists for at least one of the two to be shifted into the rotation. But it might make more sense for the Sox to land additional starting pitching options, allowing both Houck and Whitlock to serve as multi-inning bridges between the starter and whoever closes games.
On the free-agent market, it's hard to imagine the Sox going after a proven closer like Kenley Jansen, but they might have an interest in free agents like Collin McHugh or Ryan Tepera.
5) What about trade possibilities?
With so much emphasis on the free-agent market being unfrozen, it's easy to forget that, with the cancellation of the winter meetings, few trades were made. (The Sox got the last one in under the wire, when the Renfroe-for-Bradley-and-prospect swap got announced less than 30 minutes before things were shuttered).
Back in late November, a number of teams had signaled a willingness to be active on the trade front. Oakland is open for business with plenty available in terms of position players (Matt Chapman, Matt Olson) and pitching (Frankie Montas, Sean Manaea, Chris Bassitt, Lou Trivino). Cincinnati, too, is willing to listen on starters Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray).
The Red Sox have built up their prospect inventory over the last two years to the degree that Bloom might feel more comfortable swinging a deal that has the Sox moving a couple of future chips for more established help. But Bloom has also noted that he'll never be satisfied with his organizational depth, and it's likely that he views a handful of his best prospects (Triston Casas, Nick Yorke, Marcello Mayer for starters) as off-limits.
6) How does universal DH impact Boston?
The Red Sox are set with Martinez at the DH spot, but the arrival of the universal DH has both expanded and complicated their options.
Could the Sox move Martinez, in his final year, to free up some money to address another need, or help them afford a giant signing? Potentially, and the fact that there are now an additional 15 teams (in the NL) with DH needs expands their field of potential suitors.
But it also means increased competition for Kyle Schwarber, should the Sox seek a reunion.
Could the Sox engineer a roster with both Martinez and Schwarber -- with Martinez getting the majority of DH at-bats while Schwarber splits time between left field, first base and DH, then takes over the DH role full-time in 2023 and beyond? Potentially, yes. But Schwarber's expanded universe of interested teams could push his asking price high enough to shut out the Sox.
7) Who's on second?
With the expectation that Hernandez is going to (mostly) be in center, the Red Sox have limited options at second base. Christian Arroyo enters camp as the de facto starter, but the Sox need depth at the position.
Arroyo played well last season, but his injury history has to be of some concern. He's never played more than 57 games in the big leagues, so it's hard to know what to expect from him.
The free-agent class is limited. The Sox recently signed former White Sox infielder Yolmer Sanchez to a minor league deal, but while he provides above-average defense at the position, he's a below-average hitter. It's difficult to see him as anything more than a depth option, stashed at Worcester in the event of an injury.
There's not anyone to generate much excitement on the free-agent front (Donovan Solano? Josh Harrison?). But the Red Sox need someone to push Arroyo and provide a Plan B.
8) Is there a potential surprise in store?
This is a longshot, but could the Sox shake up their catching duties? There was a considerable internal debate about picking up Vazquez's option last fall before the Sox decided to do so. They later had significant trade discussions with Pittsburgh about Jacob Stallings, before he was sent to Miami.
That would seem to suggest dissatisfaction with Vazquez, even in the short term. If they debated about picking up a relatively affordable $7 million option, what does that say about his future with the club?
Again, the shortened spring training plays a role here. If the Sox were to trade for another starting catcher, he would have far less time than usual to learn the pitching staff.
But the fact that they pursued Stallings is proof that another deal can't be ruled out entirely.
9) What other issues are on the table?
For one thing, there's the pesky issue of vaccination status. Under terms of the new CBA, unvaccinated players will not be permitted to play in games in Toronto, and won't be paid for those missed games, or accumulate service time. As a division rival, the Sox are set to play three series at Rogers Centre.
At the end of last season, Chris Sale, Bogaerts and Arroyo were among those who chose not to get to vaccinated.
Do the Sox apply any pressure to those players to get them to change their status? The Sox are scheduled to play ten games -- including, for now, the final three of the season -- in Toronto and that's a big number to be without some of their most important players.