At their year-end press conference in late September, members of Red Sox leadership said the wait had gone on long enough, and the time to get back in the game was now. It was a more pronounced statement of intent than in recent offseasons,

The Red Sox have signaled that they’re going to look for ways to drastically improve the club this winter. It now appears their interest in the top available player is enough for team officials to make a cross-country trip.