Sam Kennedy talks about Red Sox plans to spend big money

If the Sox fail to get Soto, a sense of “extreme urgency internally” will drive the team to spend money elsewhere on players who can yank the club out of a multi-year spell in the morass of mediocrity.

“Even if it takes us over the CBT,” Kennedy said, referring to the first competitive balance tax threshold of $241 million next year. “Our priority is 90 to 95 wins, winning the American League East and winning the division for multiple years.”

Kennedy also talked about winning multiple World Series over the next decade.

Last season, when the Red Sox played .500 baseball, the Red Sox spent more than $224 million, according to Spotrac, and the bill for 2025 is about $131.9 million.

A contract for Soto is expected to last 12 to 15 years, with a total value likely to exceed $600 million.

The team already has a ten-year contract on the books with Rafael Devers for $313 million.

Can the team afford another mega deal?

“Is that possible? If that is necessary, yes, absolutely,” Kennedy said. “We are investing more than last year. We plan to invest in the future.

“There is an extreme urgency internally to compete for the American League East Championship and to position ourselves without questions for a deep postseason run in 2025. The goal is to win 90+ games so you don’t have to worry about a wildcard spot.”

Kennedy confirmed that the meeting in California with Soto and his agent Scott Boras went “very well,” with head of baseball operations Craig Breslow, manager Alex Cora and chairman Tom Werner also present for the more than three-hour presentation.

Steinbrenner answered questions from a bunch of reporters in the lobby of MLB headquarters for nearly 15 minutes.

Kennedy wouldn’t even mention Soto’s name.

“I’m not allowed to talk about the player, but it will be that person’s decision,” said Kennedy, speaking to a reporter.

The interview was interrupted halfway through by a phone call from David Ortiz. Kennedy didn’t reveal what the two talked about, but he seemed quite pleased with the conversation.

After the call, Kennedy turned more serious by acknowledging that the Sox have their work cut out for them to regain the fans’ full trust after three consecutive seasons without playoff baseball and misses in five of the past six years.

“Look, we have to add something, and we’re trying to do that, but I think we’re in a good position now to add something,” Kennedy said. “We need more pitching, guys at the front of the rotation and bullpen. We feel good about our positional core, we really do. Pitching is a high priority, but anything and everything is on the table for us: free agency, trades, promotions from the minor leagues.”

Kennedy expressed characteristic optimism about the way the team’s fortunes seem destined to change.

“In our free agency discussions thus far, there has been, I would say, a very strong feeling among agents and players that the Boston Red Sox are going to be a force for the next five to seven years, given the guys who have already done that. came up at the big league level and the guys coming out of Triple A and levels below that,” he said.

To achieve the team’s goal of winning the division and “hopefully” winning at least one World Series in the next four seasons, “it’s going to take smart investments in free agency, it’s going to take smart trades, and it’s really going to take disciplined and committed player development from the Major Leagues all the way up – improving guys at the big league level, but also guys throughout the minor league system.

On other matters, Kennedy said the Red Sox hope to get an All-Star Game no later than 2029. Fenway Park last hosted the Midsummer Classic in 1999.

By now, the team hoped to have made more progress on the ‘Fenway Corners’ mixed-use development plan. Partly because of a drop in demand for commercial real estate and high interest rates, the project is progressing slowly, Kennedy said. When construction begins, the first project is likely to be on Lansdowne Street, behind the Green Monster, with a mix of bars, restaurants and perhaps a small live music venue.

The Sox would move their offices from Fenway Park to the new buildings. The vacated space in the ballpark would be used to likely expand the concourse and provide dedicated space for season ticket holders. The new space will not expand ticket capacity.

Kennedy reiterated that Fenway Sports Group has no plans to make a bid for the Celtics.

“We are completely focused on our existing portfolio – we have our hands full,” Kennedy said.

A promotion to CEO of FSG hasn’t limited Kennedy’s time with the Red Sox.

“I would say the PGA Tour deal took a lot of time last year, but my time is about the same when it comes to the split,” he said.

Breslow, who was hired 13 months ago, works “like a seasoned veteran,” according to Kennedy.

“He doesn’t operate in some kind of theoretical, philosophical environment, he’s focused on things that, in his mind, will result in victories and he’s been very uncompromising and disciplined about that,” Kennedy said. “As a result, we have made many changes, which are difficult, but he has been incredibly focused and committed to the goal we have set for the organization.”

Michael Silverman can be reached at [email protected].