Report: Red Sox hesitant to sign free agents until new CBA

The lack of a new collective bargaining agreement appears to have thrown a wrench into the offseason plans of the Boston Red Sox and other teams hovering around the luxury tax threshold.

While there's optimism that a new deal will be signed before the CBA expires on Dec. 1, the price at which the new luxury tax will be set at has reportedly caused teams to delay their offseason shopping.

Due to the unknown surrounding the new CBA, the Red Sox won't truly become players in free agency until the new rules are set, sources told Rob Bradford of WEEI.

The Red Sox payroll currently sits at $160.6 million for next season, according to Cots Baseball Contracts, and is set to rise with nine players being arbitration eligible. The current luxury tax threshold is set at $189 million.

Red Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski has said that his offseason wishlist includes adding a reliever that can work the eighth inning and a designated hitter.

The team was believed to be a possible destination for free agent Edwin Encarnacion, though earlier this month the Red Sox were said to not be serious players for the former Toronto Blue Jays slugger.

The financial commitment needed to sign Encarnacion - which is believed to exceed four years and $80 million - along with the draft-pick compensation, and his defensive limitations may prevent Dombrowski from waiting until the new CBA to have talks with Encarnacion's agent, or from making an offer all together.