The infamous question, “Why can’t we get players like that?” has been a longstanding lament among New England sports fans, stemming back to when Jeff Bagwell was traded by the Red Sox to the Astros in 1990. Bagwell went on to have a Hall of Fame career, while the Red Sox struggled to find similar success. This sentiment has been echoed over the years with other players who left Boston and found success elsewhere.
One recent example is Chris Sale, who was traded by the Red Sox to the Braves this year. Sale has had a resurgence in Atlanta, leading the majors in ERA, wins, and strikeouts. His success with the Braves has left Red Sox fans wondering why he couldn’t replicate that performance in Boston. The Red Sox paid a significant amount to offload Sale, only to see him excel with a new team.
Despite the Red Sox’s defensive struggles and past decisions related to player acquisitions, Sale’s performance serves as a stark reminder of missed opportunities. The 2024 MLB postseason will feature several former Red Sox players who have found success with other teams. The current state of the Red Sox, while not in last place, leaves fans questioning why the team can’t retain or acquire players who go on to achieve greatness elsewhere.
As fans continue to question the team’s decisions and track the success of former players, the sentiment of “Why can’t we get players like that?” remains a prevalent theme in Boston sports.
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