Who do you expect the Red Sox will actually sign?
-- @clarkinak on Twitter

On Friday night, the Sox came to an agreement on a two-year, $14 million deal with super-utility player Kiké Hernandez, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. Though not a splashy move, Hernandez is a very nice piece to the puzzle, especially given his ability to hit lefties. He can play every position but catcher.

I’d also expect Boston to land another starting pitcher in the coming days. Righty Jake Odorizzi is one pitcher they are definitely interested in. Odorizzi would give them another proven quality starter to add to Eduardo Rodriguez and Nathan Eovaldi. Because injuries limited Odorizzi to just four starts in the shortened 2020 season, his price could be very reasonable.

Also, Chaim Bloom knows Odorizzi very well from their five years together with the Rays. Odorizzi was clearly on the rise in 2019, when he went 15-7 with a 3.51 ERA with the Twins.

Ian, tell me next year’s staff is going to be more than maybe a healthy Rodriguez, maybe half a year of a recovering Chris Sale and then pray for hail.
-- @bobwilson_ie on Twitter

I have good news for you. I don’t think things are nearly that bleak. I don’t think you’ll have to endure what you did watching the starting rotation in 2020. Getting Rodriguez back is a huge deal. All signs point to him being healthy and making a full recovery. You also have Eovaldi, who pitched well last season and, knock on wood, didn’t experience any arm issues.

The Red Sox are bullish on Nick Pivetta, who was solid in his two starts after he was acquired in a trade with the Phillies. Remember Tanner Houck? Boston’s 10th-ranked prospect was last seen going 3-0 with a 0.53 ERA in three starts at the end of the season. Though Martín Pérez is hardly spectacular, he kept the team in the majority of starts he made last season.

Is there a possibility that Sale could be ready earlier than expected? Or is it still going to be mid- to late season till he is ready?
-- @MadKingTylor on Twitter

I think the last thing you’re going to see is Sale coming back earlier than expected. This is because the team is going to do everything in its power to hold him back and make sure he is 100 percent ready to go once he returns.

Sale is signed through 2024 and the Red Sox want him to be full go for the final three seasons of the contract. I think right around the All-Star break is a reasonable estimate for when Sale could be back on the mound for Boston.

Do you think they sign Rafael Devers long term this spring?
-- @Whiteywilhelm on Twitter

I think it makes perfect sense for the Red Sox to meet with Devers and his representatives during Spring Training. Devers loves playing for Boston and for Alex Cora, so the third baseman could be open to signing a long-term deal that would take him through his first couple of years of free agency.

By eliminating business and just thinking about baseball, Devers could gain the consistency that has eluded him so far in his career. If no deal can be struck, no biggie. At least they’ve started the foundation for some fruitful talks in the future. Devers isn’t eligible for free agency until after the 2023 season.

Would there be any legitimate benefits to trading Andrew Benintendi, considering the fact it seems unlikely Jackie Bradley Jr. will return?
-- @lawrence_carr33 on Twitter

The only legitimate benefit to trading Benintendi would be if you get something useful in return. Perhaps the Red Sox could get a younger outfielder with more future cost control than Benintendi, who is eligible for free agency following the 2022 season. And maybe they could add a starter, a reliever or a prospect in that trade.

Keep in mind that if the Sox trade Benintendi, they could also sign an outfielder via free agency to replace his spot in the lineup. The one drawback to trading him now is that his value is diminished due to his underperformance in 2019 and his brutal slump in a brief sample size last season.

Benintendi rumors picked up a lot of steam last week, but have fizzled since. Any word on what’s going on?
-- @ajamirr on Twitter

The Red Sox were in contact with several teams about Benintendi. The fact they didn’t reach a deal leads you to believe that they didn’t get the offer they were seeking. As other outfielders continue to come off the market, teams could ratchet up their interest in making a trade for Benintendi.

Are they seriously engaging JBJ or just waiting out the market and hoping he’s available?
-- @redsoxexpress on Twitter

Great question. I’d say the Red Sox are waiting it out. If Bradley doesn’t get the type of contract he is looking for from another club, I could see him coming back on a short-term deal. With the promising Jarren Duran perhaps a year or less away from helping the Red Sox, a long-term deal for Bradley doesn’t make that much sense for Boston. Not only that, but Alex Verdugo can play center field.

Are Sox insiders starting to worry about Chaim Bloom? He’s letting the Blue Jays and Yankees dominate the free-agent market in this division, and there seems to be no strategic direction. Just “hope” all our injuries come back and “hope” all our youngsters pan out.
-- @darrenblois1 on Twitter

I think the Red Sox have full confidence in Bloom, and ownership supports his plan. He isn’t trying to win the free-agency game this winter. Bloom is taking the long view right now, trying to re-establish the Red Sox as a team that can compete for championships every single year. To do that, you need to repair the foundation.

For now, that is trying to improve the Minor League system and the overall depth of the roster. I believe that the Red Sox will be far more engaged in marquee free agents and blockbuster trade talks next offseason than they are at the moment.