Former Red Sox pitcher says Boston needs to add ‘another veteran presence’ to contend for World Series

James Paxton believes the Red Sox have some work to do this offseason.

The 35-year-old pitcher, who retired this year following his latest stint in Boston, thinks the Red Sox should bring in another veteran player. Paxton said the young team has to add someone with more service time to put themselves back into the World Series conversation.

“I think they could use another veteran presence on that team and if they want to win a World Series,” he said on WEEI’s “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast. “I could see them going out and getting one more big-time player to go out there and, OK, give the players some confidence. ‘We’re going for it. We’re doing it.’”

Paxton listed Trevor Story as one of Boston’s few veteran players, noting that “everybody respects him and looks up to him.” But, one veteran with just five games of playoff experience six years ago isn’t enough.

Rafael Devers debuted in 2017 and has competed in 26 playoff games, but he has made it clear that he isn’t a vocal leader. Rob Refsnyder is another veteran with nine years of MLB experience, but he said he was contemplating retirement in August.

Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin are each in their late 30s, two of the team’s top leaders over the last two seasons, but are set to become free agents upon this season’s end. If neither re-sign with the Red Sox, the team will have big leadership shoes to fill.

Boston’s youth movement has taken over the roster in recent years as the club has entered rebuild mode post-pandemic. While the group has shown glimmers of hope in the regular season, they’ve missed the playoffs for three straight seasons. It’s clear the team could benefit from more full-time players with more experience, both on the diamond and in the clubhouse.