Michael Fulmer to provide future depth in Red Sox bullpen
The Red Sox signed right-handed reliever Michael Fulmer to a minor league deal earlier this week. Fulmer is going to miss the entire 2024 season as he recovers from UCL revision surgery.
The former Cubs reliever’s deal includes a $1.5 million major league salary in each season, according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. The deal will also include incentives and performance bonuses to max out at $2 million in 2025. Fulmer will need to be selected to the big league roster to earn his $1.5 million salary per season.
He’s expected to moss the season after undergoing UCL surgery on Oct. 18. Fulmer provides the Red Sox with a bullpen option heading into the 2025 season with both Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen scheduled to hit free agency following this season.
The 30-year-old posted a 4.42 ERA in 58 appearances last season pitching for the Cubs. He has a connection with Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow from their time together in Chicago.
Once healthy, Fulmer could provide the Red Sox a veteran option for the bullpen in 2025. ZiPS projections have Fulmer posting a 4-4 record with a 4.41 ERA, 4.43 FIP, 1.41 WHIP in 50 games over 51 innings in 2025.
The righty offers a five-pitch mix, sweeper, four-seamer, cutter, sinker and changeup. Fulmer used his sweeper (30.6%) and four-seamer (28.6%) the most in 2023. His sweeper was effective against opposing hitters holding them to a .183 batting average and a .156 expected batting average. Fulmer ranked in the 92nd percentile in Whiff percentage, 95th in hard hit percentage and 92nd in exit velocity.
The Oklahoma native has primarily been a reliever since 2021, appearing out the bullpen 125 times the last two seasons. Over the course of the last three seasons, Fulmer is 37-50 with a 3.94 ERA across 262 total big league appearances to date and eclipsed 50 appearances.
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