"Red Sox are a joke", "Friggin Blue Jays spend more" - Fans react to Boston trailing behind Dodgers, Phillies, Yankees, Mets in luxury tax payrolls

The Boston Red Sox are expected to take a big step forward this year but haven't added a superstar free agent on a long-term deal this offseason. Fans vented their frustrations at the front office.

Boston Strong, the top fan page of the Red Sox on X and Instagram, shared an upload showing how they lagged behind the top franchises in terms of luxury tax payrolls.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been the most active team this winter and are unsurprisingly top of the list with a jaw-dropping $389 million bill. The Philadelphia Phillies are a distant second, with a $308 million payroll, followed closely by the New York Yankees, at $303 million.

The New York Mets are fourth with a $294 million payroll despite offering the largest contract ever to any player (Juan Soto) this offseason. The Toronto Blue Jays have failed to add a superstar in the free agent market in the past couple of years yet ae fifth at $245 million.

The Boston Red Sox are 14th with $210 million, even though they have two division rivals in the top five. Fans shared their reactions on the same.

"The Red Sox are now a joke," remarked one fan.

"Those friggin' Blue Jays spend more," moaned another.

"They say they want to win championships," added another, albeit sarcastically.

The frustrations of the fanbase was tangible from their comments on X.

"Wouldn't be surprised if we shed salary by the deadline," said one fan.

"Not even the top-10. That's f***** up," posted another.

"They lied to us all again," added another.

Boston Strong also reported that the Red Sox's luxury payroll was $246 million at the start of the 2024 season, $16 million more than their current standing.

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Red Sox bolster pitching staff in offseason

The Red Sox have missed the playoffs in each of the past three seasons (Image Source: Imagn)

The Boston Red Sox front office has mostly focused on strengthening their pitching staff this offseason.

They signed Walker Buehler to a one-year, $21.05 million contract at the turn of the year. They had previously traded for Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox in December after adding veteran southpaw Aroldis Chapman to their bullpen on a one-year, $10.75 million deal.

However, they haven't made any significant additions to their lineup even though were actively pursuing Juan Soto before he had joined the New York Mets. Meanwhile, they lost Tyler O'Neill to free agency, who has now joined their division rivals Baltimore Orioles.