A good deal of the conflict this offseason stems from the team's spending, and that they have identified areas where they could improve (starting pitching, more starting pitching, RHH power, RHH balance to the OF, and even more pitching) but are not really spending. They are well below the first CBT threshold, and it would not even be possible for them to spend enough to reach more serious penalties. Most reports have them coming up short for the free agents they're looking at, to the point that many factions of the industry are wondering what they're doing and why they aren't spending like the third most valuable franchise in the sport. As the quote goes, they are looking at the available players rationally and coming in third...
Following Dombrowski the team looked to cut payroll and the only Sox result of note in 2020 was getting under the threshold and resetting the CBT. After 2021's improbably run they were looking at adding to try to make the playoffs or cutting salary in 2022 and Bloom's indecision shot them in the foot. And then they at least reset the tax again last season after another last place finish, but the "keeping the powder dry for X free agent" has turned out to not result in that expected big splash. We've looked at the history and this is not a team that traditionally goes head to head with other teams to land a player; their big contracts have come as extensions.
So comparing Red Sox spending to CBT limits, what do you think they can and should spend on payroll? Is it worth it to overpay in the short-term to solve problems, or is it better to reduce spending, even if the on-field product takes a step back?
Following Dombrowski the team looked to cut payroll and the only Sox result of note in 2020 was getting under the threshold and resetting the CBT. After 2021's improbably run they were looking at adding to try to make the playoffs or cutting salary in 2022 and Bloom's indecision shot them in the foot. And then they at least reset the tax again last season after another last place finish, but the "keeping the powder dry for X free agent" has turned out to not result in that expected big splash. We've looked at the history and this is not a team that traditionally goes head to head with other teams to land a player; their big contracts have come as extensions.
So comparing Red Sox spending to CBT limits, what do you think they can and should spend on payroll? Is it worth it to overpay in the short-term to solve problems, or is it better to reduce spending, even if the on-field product takes a step back?