On talent alone, your core is fine. The problem is, you have no money to spend. Sale, Price and Eovaldi are making $77 mil between them. Sale is an injury and effectiveness question, Price even more so, Eovaldi more so than him. You have a team right now that is already over the LT, which is a stated goal to get below. We are all expecting JBJ to get dealt. Right now the sox have holes at 2b, 1b, SP, and Closer/Relief ace. If JBJ goes to get under the lux tax, CF will be a need. Subtracting Betts doesn't help this equation either. Your farm has some guys who can help out in the 1b and 2b situation, but none are gonna shock the world, or at least none are expected to. Your staff the way it is really needs more like 6 or 7 starters and beyond your top 4, all other internal options suck ass. To prop this core up will take cash or prospects. The farm is dead right now. The FO has pulled the cash.