For the Boston Red Sox, whose mostly encouraging season ended when they dropped the American League Wild Card Series to the New York Yankees, the offseason will be dedicated to addressing specific flaws that prevented them from advancing further — or from winning more than the 89 games that got the Sox the second AL wild-card berth.

Chief among those flaws was the lack of a true, reliable No. 2 starting pitcher to extend the rotation after ace Garrett Crochet, whose 32 starts made him the only pitcher on the Boston staff to top 28.

At the same time, the Red Sox have a well-documented abundance of outfield talent that includes this season's rookie sensation Roman Anthony, 2024 Gold Glover Wilyer Abreu, slick-fielding center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela — and last season's All-Star Game

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