What's next for the Red Sox after the last-minute flurry of activity?

Like the midseason finale that leaves us hanging with an ominous "to be continued" into the spring, the Red Sox beat the CBA's expiration clock on Wednesday night with a cliffhanger.

They made a flurry of moves from predictable (Rich Hill) to what-the-hell?!? (Jackie Bradley Jr.). In the middle, they added a depth piece in right-hander Michael Wacha and a future piece in left-hander James Paxton.

As things stand today, minus outfielder Hunter Renfroe and starter Eduardo Rodriguez, they are worse off than they were when the season ended in Game 6 of the ALCS. So what are we going to do with the 2022 roster after a series of last-minute hits, rather than bullshit?

For one thing, there's a lot of work left to do and potentially not a lot of time in which to do it (although this likely plays to Chaim Bloom's strengths). But on the other hand, it suddenly looks like they could spend some money without being constrained by the luxury tax.

To read John Tomase's full column in English, click here

File this under "Remains to be seen," of course, but consider two of Bloom's signature moves. First, he committed $6 million to Paxton to potentially release nothing this year while he recovers from Tommy John, but with a couple of team options that could lock him out for 2023 and 2024.

He then took on some salary to win back Bradley, whom he owes $12 million next year, in order to buy a couple of second-tier prospects from the Brewers in the Hunter Renfroe trade.

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Neither of those moves will have much, if any, impact next season, and both fit roughly within the $18.4 million, one-year qualifying offer Rodriguez turned down before signing with the Tigers for five years, $77. millions.

¿Qué sigue para los Red Sox después de la ráfaga de actividad de último minuto?

Bloom may be so focused on the future that he's willing to spend resources now that will come at the direct expense of 2022. But after making it to the ALCS, that's no way to reward a roster or fan base.

So a more likely reading is that with the club on the market for at least one more starter, multiple relievers, and some combination of first baseman, second baseman, and/or outfielder, John Henry plans to loosen the purse strings enough to get past the luxury tax threshold, assuming the new collective agreement includes one.

Using round numbers, the Red Sox have committed roughly $200 million to next year's roster. That leaves them just $10 million shy of last year's threshold, and if the new one is anywhere near that, that's not enough money to fill out the roster without trading someone like JD Martinez (who can't be ruled out, especially if the NL introduces a universal DH).

Being able to spend does not mean throwing $300 million at Carlos Correa. But at least it means Bloom won't have to divvy up resources like finite grains of sand. And there is no shortage of areas that need updating.

He starts with the rotation, which has added depth but not necessarily quality. The best pitcher they've acquired is Hill, but he turns 42 in March, so any expectations should be tempered by his age. That said, the lefty outscored Rodriguez last year by going 7-8 with a 3.86 ERA in 158 2/3 innings between Tampa and the Mets.

Only once in 17 seasons has Hill pitched more innings. Since he resurrected his career in 2015 with the Red Sox, he is 50-30 with a 3.15 ERA.

"This guy is one of the best competitors in our game," Bloom said. "And he doesn't seem to age. Wherever he goes, he's successful. Not only is he a good pitcher, but he has a tremendous presence in the clubhouse."

Ideally, the Red Sox would add more depth to a rotation that relies on Chris Sale to recapture the ace form he didn't immediately display in his Tommy John return, and Nathan Eovaldi to stay healthy for another 32 starts. They've seen top free agents go off the market without making a serious commitment to any of them, most recently All-Star right-hander Marcus Stroman, who signed a reasonable three-year, $71 million deal with the Cubs.

If the Red Sox don't want to spend on starters in free agency because they're usually bad investments, there's no discussion here. The next step, though, will be picking someone out of the trade, whether it's Oakland's Chris Bassitt or Frankie Montas, or perhaps one of Miami's surplus arms.

Meanwhile, the bullpen needs an overhaul, especially if Tanner Houck or Garrett Whitlock land in the rotation. The Red Sox re-signed right-hander Ryan Brasier, who was one of their most reliable arms down the stretch, but they'll need to replace veteran free agents Adam Ottavino and Hansel Robles, and they have no idea what they're heading for out of the Red Sox. All-Star Matt Barnes, who signed a contract extension and then promptly fell off the face of the earth.

Offensively, Bradley looks more like a fourth outfielder after hitting just .163 in Milwaukee, so the Red Sox should be in the market for help there, especially if prospect Jarren Duran becomes part of a trade for a opener. The same goes for Bobby Dalbec, so they might need an interim first baseman to bridge prospect Triston Casas. Depending on where they play Kiké Hernández, they could look for a starting second baseman.

That's a lot of variables to calculate as the sport pauses. Hopefully, when the action picks up sometime in February or March, the result won't be a disappointment.