Bleacher Report · Dec 7, 2019
MLB Trade Rumors: Buzz Surrounding Mookie Betts and Top Players Available
New Boston Red Sox general manager Chaim Bloom finds himself in a pickle this offseason.
After missing the playoffs in 2019 while also having the highest payroll in baseball, owner John Henry is demanding that the Bloom help get the club closer to the Competitive Balance Tax threshold.
Aside from the huge contracts already owed to the likes of David Price, Chris Sale and Xander Bogaerts, Bloom's task only got tougher when designated hitter J.D. Martinez opted in for the 2020 season at the cost of $23.75 million.
Baseball Reference currently estimates Boston's payroll at $227.2 million, so they clearly need to shed payroll in order to avoid any sort of penalty.