The Boston Red Sox are facing a crossroads. After a disappointing 2019 season that saw the defending World Series champions fail to make the playoffs, the team has several key decisions to make about players on their roster.
Most notably, the team will have to decide what the respective futures of Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez are. Betts, 26, is scheduled to hit free agency after the 2020 season while Martinez can opt out of his contract this offseason. The belief is that both could be gone as the Red Sox look to cut payroll.
And that speculation was fueled even more by Red Sox president Sam Kennedy's comments at the team's end-of-season press conference.
Kennedy said that "there is a way" that both Betts and Martinez could return, but acknowledged it will be difficult.
"Yes, there is a way but obviously it will be difficult given the nature of the agreements and the contracts that we have in place," Kennedy said. "Look, we have a very targeted and strategic plan that we're building right now."
"It's going to be a challenging offseason, but we're ready to attack it head-on and do everything we can to put a competitive team out there."
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Of course, losing Betts and Martinez would make competing more difficult, as they are two of the best hitters in the league. But if the Red Sox really want to get their payroll below the $208 million mark to avoid the luxury tax, they may not be able to the duo around, especially with two $30 million-plus pitchers on the roster in Chris Sale and David Price.
TOMASE: Teammates preparing for like without Mookie Betts>>>
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