Boston Red Sox

The 2014 MLB winter meetings have come and gone, with the Boston Red Sox as one of the event's most active participants.

Now that the dust has settled in San Diego, it's time to evaluate Boston's offseason to this point.  Below are individual grades for each move the Red Sox have made, as well as an overall assessment of their performance.

Shoot for Jon Lester—even if you miss, you'll land Rick Porcello, Wade Miley and Justin Masterson.

OK, so that's not exactly how the saying goes. But it is the reality for the Boston Red Sox, who whiffed on a chance to bring back Lester at the MLB winter meetings but did manage to revamp their starting corps, which posted an unsightly 4.36 ERA in 2014.

With Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez reportedly set to sign with the Boston Red Sox, per ESPN.com, the team addressed its hitting woes from a year ago. But with plenty of options in the outfield and needing other pieces elsewhere, namely starting pitching, the team is reportedly shopping Yoenis Cespedes.

The Boston Red Sox had a busy day on Monday, working out deals with both Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval, arguably the top two hitters in free agency. The rest of the offseason could be just as busy, especially given that this club is hoping to go from worst to World Series winners all over again.

Pablo Sandoval cashed in on another strong postseason, as he will reportedly sign a contract with the Boston Red Sox. The agreement brings an end to a successful seven-year stay with the San Francisco Giants.

Continue for updates.

Tuesday, Nov. 25

The hot-stove season is less than a month underway, but the Boston Red Sox have wasted no time stealing plenty of headlines.

The Boston Red Sox have several holes to fill as they try to rebound from a last-place season in 2014.  While a trade or two is likely, the Red Sox will also look to bring in free agents to shore up their roster.

Far and away, the biggest need Boston has is starting pitching.  A potential ace like Jon Lester, Max Scherzer or James Shields is the primary target, but the Red Sox should bolster their rotation with additional depth as well.

The Boston Red Sox figure to be active participants on the trade market this offseason.

Yes, they have plenty to spend and could sign several marquee free agents. But the Sox have holes in their rotation, in their bullpen and at third base, and given their glut of outfielders, first basemen and young, right-handed arms, they have the ammunition to make deals both major and minor.

There is no denying that Pablo Sandoval is among the top free agents available this offseason.  The Boston Red Sox are expected to be one of many teams interested in pursuing the third baseman.

The Boston Red Sox figure to be among the most active teams in both the free-agent and trade markets this offseason.

They need to fill at least two spots in their starting rotation. They need to solidify third base. They need to bolster their bullpen, and they could decide they need a new backup catcher, too.