Frustrated Dave Portnoy, a longtime Red Sox supporter, is feeling the sting of the team’s management choices. Recently, the Cubs signed All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman to a hefty five-year, $175 million deal. This prompted Portnoy to launch a fierce critique of team owner John Henry.
Portnoy didn’t hold back during a segment on FS1’s “Wake Up Barstool,” declaring, “John Henry is the worst man alive.” He criticized Fenway Sports Group for their apparent lack of commitment to the Red Sox, suggesting, “They don’t care about the team and treat us like we’re a small market team. Get John Henry out of here!”
While the Red Sox have made some offseason moves, bringing in veteran pitcher Sonny Gray and first baseman Willson Contreras, Bregman’s exit is a significant blow. Throughout the offseason, they expressed interest in re-signing him, with manager Alex Cora even speaking to Bregman shortly before the Cubs announcement.
Cora acknowledged the situation, saying, “The ball is in his court…We like the player. Let’s see what happens.” However, the Red Sox reportedly didn’t agree to certain contract terms, which led to the breakdown in negotiations.
Portnoy also reflected on the rocky situation involving Rafael Devers, another key player, who was traded to the Giants after a tumultuous period. The Red Sox had acquired Bregman without consulting Devers, which, as Portnoy noted, left Devers unhappy.
With Bregman’s departure, the Red Sox are still searching for ways to strengthen their infield. They were previously linked to Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte, but Arizona has since taken him off the trade market. Additionally, they are among several teams eyeing Bo Bichette, with the Phillies and Yankees also showing interest.
In spite of the high-profile loss, Red Sox general manager Craig Breslow stated that he has no regrets about the team’s development strategies. He emphasized the importance of focusing on enhancing the roster and learning from experiences to inform future decisions. Breslow commented, “Neither of the outcomes we currently face are ideal, but both will be evaluated over a longer period of time.”
