It is becoming easier to see how Chaim Bloom's long-term vision might be worth some of the wait.
Take your pick.
Watching draft picks (Kyle Teel, Nazzan Zanetello, Anthony Anderson) hit balls out of Fenway Park. Double-A no-hitters. Actual minor-league production from some - such as Ceddanne Rafaela - who are being counted on to produce in the not-too-distant future. And some youngsters (Roman Anthony, Yoeilin Cespedes) who are just starting to make one wonder what might be.
That's all well and good. But that doesn't mean these Red Sox decision-makers should give into the temptation of devaluing the here and now.
It's time to realize that the 2023 Red Sox, while undoubtedly flawed and still on the outside looking in when it comes to a Wild Card spot, are worth prioritizing.
After winning their series over the Mets thanks to Sunday night's resounding 6-1 win over New York at Fenway Park - (for a complete recap, click here) - Alex Cora's club sits two games behind Toronto for the third Wild Card position. It was a palatable landing spot with five games left before Trade Deadline decision-making time.
And, sure, the Red Sox still reside within a group of clubs waiting to truly define their Deadline intentions with the understanding that one poorly-timed losing streak can quickly alter their reality.
But what the Red Sox have to understand that there is an opportunity that is presenting itself. This season is an opportunity. The likes of which may not be presenting itself in a similar fashion in all the years to come.
With all due respect to the Rangers, Orioles and Rays, the good version of these Red Sox aren't simply that far off from any club at the top of the American League Power Rankings.
Now, the same can be said about the Blue Jays, Yankees, Twins and maybe even the Guardians, Angels and Mariners. But the point is that the good version of these Red Sox - the likes of which has been put on display in various extended win streaks - can make the kind of postseason noise you target every single season.
What Chaim Bloom and Co. should understand that is that, no matter how promising your prospects might be, these sort of landscapes don't come around every season.
Sure, they need to fix their starting pitching. And, yes, just because players are coming back from injury doesn't mean that all of those returnees are going to be the best versions of themselves. Still, where the Red Sox have landed should be promising enough.
They have found a legitimate game-changing leadoff hitter (Jarren Duran). Their No. 2 spot is occupied by the potential American League batting champ (Masa Yoshida). There is a legitimate weapon they can throw at lefty pitchers (Rob Refsnyder). One of the game's best situational hitters this season sits in the middle of the batting order (Justin Turner). The power threat to complement Rafael Devers seems to have emerged (Triston Casas). They have one of the best defensive catchers in the game right now, who also isn't an automatic out (Connor Wong). And their shortstop woes seem to be on the verge of being solved (Trevor Story).
Pitching-wise, not only have Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen offered the kind of end-of-game one-two punch teams thirst for, but the Red Sox have methodically seemingly uncovered some difference-making bullpen arms in the form of Brennan Bernardino, Josh Winckowski, Nick Pivetta and even Chris Murphy.
Yes, the starting rotation needs help. Solely leaning on the trio of Brayan Bello, James Paxton and Kutter Crawford seems a risky proposition. But at least there is the potential of Chris Sale, Tanner Houck and maybe Garrett Whitlock being dropped in during mid-August to answer some of the doubts.
The voices in the clubhouse truly believe this sort of optimism and approach is warranted with the caveat that an addition or two to the pitching staff to integrate a bit more certainty would be welcome.
Maybe this Red Sox team doesn't stack up to previous editions that have offered some excitement and anticipation heading through Patriots' training camp. That's not the point.
The Sox might not be all that, but neither is the rest of the American League.
"Plunge boldly into the thick of life, and seize it where you will, it is always interesting."
The German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said it. Now it is time for the Red Sox to realize it.
