Proceeding with caution

Sale’s return won’t be rushed as way to fortify pitching

BOSTON — We’re a few weeks away from the one-year anniversary of the Red Sox trading Mookie Betts to the Dodgers, a shameful day in team history.

The Dodgers went on to win the World Series and the Sox finished in last place. Even the determinedly tanking Baltimore Orioles were better.

In the months since, the Red Sox have signed long reliever Matt Andriese, platoon outfielder Hunter Renfroe, and brought back left-hander Martin Perez.

Total cost: $10.2 million.

It’s not very inspiring. The Red Sox are easy targets for criticism, especially without the Patriots playing into January to provide some cover. The knocks are coming from all directions.

It’s been a long time, since the final months of the 2012 season, that the Sox have seemed so inconsequential.

But here’s the thing: Pitchers and catchers aren’t scheduled to report to spring training until Feb. 15 and Opening Day is April 1. Chaim Bloom has ample time to improve the roster.

There’s also plenty of opportunity to do that.

Starting pitchers J.A. Happ, Jake Odorizzi, Jose Quintana, James Paxton, Garrett Richards and

Taijuan Walker remain free agents.

Bloom could spend roughly $25 million on upgrades without going over the luxury tax threshold. The longer he waits, the more the prices will come down as spring training approaches and free agents become more willing to make a deal.

Once February arrives, established big-leaguers will be scrambling for landing spots. The Red Sox still expect to make additions, multiple team sources said.

Bloom has made it clear that the Sox will be cautious with the return of Chris Sale from Tommy John surgery. Typically, it takes 12 to 15 months to recover, which for Sale would be between March 30-June 30.