The Red Sox entered this offseason in desperate need of proven starting pitching.
During a lackluster 2023 season where Boston posted its third last-place finish in four seasons, opposing batters feasted at Fenway Park. The Red Sox ranked 21st in MLB in team ERA at 4.52, with a dearth of innings-eating starters eventually depleting Boston’s bullpen.
But hope sat on the horizon this winter, especially with 25-year-old Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto hitting the open market.
The Red Sox and Yamamoto seemed like a natural fit, with the righty posting a 70-29 record with a 1.