To be realistic, many American League teams have improved so far this offseason.
Within reported payroll constraints, the Red Sox hope to improve on an 84-win club that finished 12 games back of the second Wild Card slot. With the league's seventh-best record, the Sox were followed in order by the Rangers, White Sox and Angels, who have all made upgrades.
In climbing to the top of the hill in 2018, the Red Sox have dug themselves into a hole for 2020 and perhaps beyond. Trying to contend in 2020 may only dig a deeper hole.
Or not.