Could Big Offseason Be Coming For Red Sox? Boston's Deadline Inaction Could Be Sign

The Boston Red Sox certainly surprised some people ahead of the 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline.

Boston -- who many expected to finish at the bottom of the American League East standings and potentially be worst than last year -- already has done things this season no one expected. The Red Sox are just two games out of the final American League Wild Card spot and could hold a postseason spot as soon as this weekend depending on how a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays goes. 

Although this is the case, Boston didn't do much ahead of the trade deadline aside from a last-second middle infield depth move. The Red Sox were rumored to be active and even showed interest in former New York Mets star Justin Verlander, but ultimately didn't make any game-changing moves. 

This potentially could be a sign that the Red Sox could have some big moves up their sleeves this upcoming offseason. By not adding on salary at the trade deadline, the Red Sox almost guaranteed that will remain below the first competitive balance tax threshold and therefore could have more money to spend this offseason, according to MassLive.com's Sean McAdam. 

"More tangibly, re-setting the tax rate could free the Sox up to spend more in this winter’s free agent market, knowing that if they go over the threshold, it won’t be as onerous in the luxury tax department as it otherwise would be," McAdam said. "Had the Sox been repeat offenders this season and gone over the CBT, their penalties would have increased significantly from 20 percent on all overages to 30 percent. Now, the Sox can re-set to just 20 percent for 2024, and also avoid any stiffer penalties on international free agent and draft signing pool money."

Boston likely will enter the offseason looking for a new starting pitcher and there will be plenty of top-end talent available. Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani will grab most of the headlines but others like San Diego Padres star Blake Snell, Los Angeles Dodgers ace Julio Urias, or Philadelphia Phillies hurler Aaron Nola all could make sense. Snell already has plenty of American League East experience after playing for the Tampa Bay Rays and somewhat of a familiarity with Boston chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, so maybe a move could be easier. 

It's certainly way too early to be thinking about the offseason but it could end up being a busy one for Boston. 

More MLB: Red Sox Reportedly Attempted Blockbuster Deal To Acquire Former Mets Star Pitcher