Kennedy pushes back on criticism Red Sox haven't signed MLB free agent
Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy doesn't believe Boston's front office should be criticized for failing to ink a free agent to an MLB deal this offseason because his club added to its roster in other ways.
"I think it's just important to look at the facts," Kennedy said Saturday, according to MassLive's Christopher Smith. "If you go back a year ago, this date last year, I believe our organization has taken on close to $500 million in contractual commitments to guys like Garrett Crochet, guys like Kristian Campbell, guys like Roman Anthony. So, that's just a fact.
"We've added $40 million in payroll through trades. That's just a fact. We cannot and do not try to control social media narrative. We understand that talk radio is ablaze with opinions and ideas. That's what makes this the best place in the world to be, to live, and to operate in baseball."
The Red Sox traded for Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Johan Oviedo this winter. Gray and Contreras both waived their no-trade clauses, leading the team to rework their contracts and commit over $63 million to the pair for 2026 and 2027.
Boston also gave large, long-term extensions to Crochet, Anthony, and Campbell last year.
Additionally, Kennedy expressed support for MLB commissioner Rob Manfred's plan to propose a signing deadline for free agents in the next collective bargaining agreement.
"I would just point to the commissioner's comments earlier this week and strongly agree that it's worthy of exploration for sure," Kennedy said, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. "In terms of being in a very competitive market, for fan interest and attention, having a defined period would be helpful. Now listen, that's something that would have to be bargained for (with MLBPA), but it's worthy of a conversation."
The Red Sox have reportedly made an aggressive offer to re-sign Alex Bregman, though manager Alex Cora acknowledged it's also up to the All-Star third baseman.
"You've got to ask him," Cora said, per MassLive's Chris Cotillo. "The ball is in his court."
He added: "We've been working together to see what happens, but obviously, it's a different offseason for Alex."