The Boston Red Sox finished dead last in the AL East for the second season in a row in 2023. Frustrations are mounting as they were the only team in the division to finish with a losing record. The path to winning a World Series is always tough, but it’s especially tough for the Red Sox in this gauntlet of a division.

So far this offseason, the Red Sox have been patient. They have made an ultra-rare trade happen with the rival New York Yankees, sending outfielder Alex Verdugo to the Bronx in exchange for a couple pitching prospects. Then they traded away pitcher Chris Sale for young shortstop Vaughn Grissom. Their first big free agency move came when they signed right-hander Lucas Giolito to a two-year deal earlier this month.

It is reported that the Red Sox are not done just yet this offseason. There are rumors of interest in NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell joining the Sox in Boston still being a possibility. If the Sox are indeed interested, it may have just gotten a little easier to sign him.

The Athletic‘s Matt Gelb (paywall) cites a source as saying that the Philadelphia Phillies are done pursuing both Snell and left-handed starter Jordan Montgomery. This is one less team now for the Red Sox to outbid to sign Snell.

As currently constructed, the Red Sox rotation looks to be Giolito, Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, Tanner Houck, and Garrett Whitlock. All five of these guys are right-handed pitchers.

Needless to say, the Red Sox should be on the market for both of these premium left-handed arms, let alone just Snell.

As things stand for now, the Red Sox are considered massive long-shots to even win the AL East (at 10-to-1), let alone to make any noise in the postseason.