Red Sox add veteran left-handed reliever, adding first free agent this offseason
The Red Sox have signed their first free agent this offseason.
Boston has agreed to terms with veteran left-handed reliever Justin Wilson to a one-year major league contract, according to Fansided’s Robert Murray. The deal is reportedly worth $2.25 million with another $750,000 available in performance bonuses, per WEEI’s Rob Bradford.
Wilson earned $1.50 million last season playing for the Reds, where he recorded a 5.59 ERA, allowing 29 earned runs in 46 2/3 innings, allowing 55 hits, and striking out 51 batters over 60 frames. He owned a 4.73 FIP and his fastball averaged 95.5 mph; he also ranked in the 95th percentile among MLB pitchers with a 33.8% chase rate, according to Statcast.
Some of his struggles came at the hands of the long ball; he surrendered seven of the 10 homers he surrendered while pitching at Great American Ball Park, which has been one of MLB’s most homer-friendly ballparks over the past three seasons, per Statcast’s Park Factors. Boston’s Fenway Park is in the middle of the pack, ranked No. 16.
The Red Sox have a need to add depth to their bullpen, including adding left-handed relievers. Wilson adds a veteran presence to an inexperienced group that featured Brennan Bernardino, Cam Booser, Bailey Horn, and Zach Penrod. All four relievers have options remaining, and of the four mentioned, Horn is likely to be designated for assignment this offseason.
Boston is looking to add to their bullpen with Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin free agents. The Sox have Justin Slaten, Liam Hendriks, Zack Kelly, Chris Murphy (missed entire 2024 season), and Luis Guerrero as options heading into 2025. Alex Cora’s bullpen ranked 24th out of 30 teams in reliever EAR (4.39) last season.
Wilson has pitched for six big league clubs since he made his debut in 2012. He underwent Tommy John surgery while pitching for the Reds in 2022, missing all of 2023. He went to spring training with the Dodgers last season before he was released and re-joined the Reds shortly before the season began.