Top Five Most Important Boston Red Sox Players For 2024
The Boston Red Sox have a win total of 77.5, with some saying they could finish last in the MLB. That could be true, but it doesn't mean there aren't players who can use this season to turn into or regain the mantle of a superstar.
If everything goes right for them, I think they can make the playoffs; it's a slim chance, but a chance nonetheless. The team played well during opening weekend, splitting the four-game series with Seattle, but they could've taken three out of four if they weren't so sloppy. So, let's get to the list.
5. Trevor Story, SS
The Red Sox tried to make a big splash in the offseason heading into 2022. Bogarts was in arbitration, and the Sox wanted to add some juice. They brought in Story, who signed a 6-year $140,000,000 contract.
Since his signing, things have been rough for the now 31-year-old. Due to multiple injuries, he played in only 137 games over the first two seasons of his tenure. It still didn't click on either side of the ball when he was playing.
If the Red Sox will surprise people, Story will need to show up and regain some of his production from his days as a Rockie. If he can hit 20+ homers and 75-100 RBIs, the middle of the lineup will get much more substantial. The Story also has a gold glove under his belt, and bouncing back to that type of SS cleans up a lot of issues for this defense.
4. Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
When I set out to write this list, I did not think this player would inhabit this spot. Initially, it was going to be Yoshida, but after watching the first weekend of games, I realized that Rafaela might be the most fun player on this team. This means much to this team and its state.
Over the weekend, Rafaela had a .333 batting average, hit a double and a triple, and drove in a run on the offensive side of the ball. He also made an insane diving catch in center field. Due to his speed, the kid could be a 30-steal player.
He had juice, and the Red Sox will need a lot of that if they want to make a push and get the city of Boston back on the bandwagon.
3. Rafael Devers, 3B
Many would say that Devers is the team's best and most recognizable player. I agree, but he may not be the most critical player. We know what we should get from Devers: 30-40 HRs and 100+ RBIs, with a .275 or higher BA.
The issue with his importance is that even if he does that, it won't raise the team up and give them a better season. He needs the other players on this list to grow into their own and help him propel this era of Red Sox baseball.
2. Triston Casas, 1B
Triston Casas might be the best player on this team by the end of the 2024 season; this is why he is above Devers on this list. If Casas can become the best player on this team, Devers will finally have another suitable running mate.
Casas came on in the second half of last season and performed like one of the better hitters in baseball. If he can improve on that for the whole season, this lineup could be more dangerous than people think.
That is why he is the second most important player on this list: he can be the lynchpin of the lineup and force people to pitch to Devers. The Red Sox have been searching for a big-time First Baseman for years, and to have drafted and developed one would be a significant box checked.
1. Brayan Bello, SP
The Red Sox have needed an Ace since 2018. If Bello could step up and win 20+ games, the Sox could sneak into the playoffs and make a run. Bello reminds me of Pedro; he is a big-ticket player with a swagger that can fill seats and sit hitters down.
Many teams don't make runs due to their pitching. Bello is the most essential pitcher we have. The rotation still needs help moving forward, but if he can fill the ace role, the hardest spot to fill in a rotation will be filled.
After a 12-11 season with a 4.24 ERA on a lousy team with defensive problems, he looks to have a much stronger season to build off of the promising performances from last year, even if they didn't mean wins the previous year.
End Of Rant
My list will be criticized, and that's fine. I'm just glad you took the time to read it. Please comment on your list and why, and we can go back and forth. In my opinion, if these five players can put together their best season, the Red Sox will be much better than anyone expects.
I hope it happens because the city of Boston needs the Red Sox to be great again; it's arguably the most important market in baseball. When Boston is good, the MLB is better for it,